RoS streaks to 5th straight win going into PBA qfinals

MANILA – Rain or Shine barged into the quarterfinals with its fifth straight win via a 95-94 victory against San Mig Coffee on Monday night in the PBA Governor’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Already assured of twice-to-beat privilege in the quarterfinals, the Elasto Painters still came out with a mission to take No. 2 spot in style.

The Elasto Painters had to lean on catch-and-shoot basket by import AZ Reid in the final three seconds to finish their elimination campaign with 6-3 win-loss slate.

”This game didn’t feel like it was a no bearing game for the two teams. We want to get to the next round on a winning note,” Rain or Shine headcoach Yeng Guiao said after the game.

Reid finished with game-high 39 points and nine rebounds, outpointing his San Mig’s counterpart Marcus Blakely who scored only 10 points.

Rain or Shine set up quarterfinals showdown versus seventh seed Air21 Express (5-4).

With the loss, the Coffee Mixers also finished the single-round elimination as No. 4 team with 5-4 and will face No. 5 San Miguel Beer in other quarterfinals match.

Talk ‘N Text emerged top seed with 7-2 record and will battle No. 8 Barako Bull Energy (3-6) while No. 3 Alaska Aces will take on No. 6 Barangay Ginebra (5-4).

The scores:

RAIN OR SHINE 95 – Reid 39, Norwood 12, Almazan 10, Belga 8, Lee 7, Cruz 6, Chan 6, Teng 4, Arana 3, Uyloan 0, Tiu 0, Nuyles 0, Ibanes 0, Rodriguez 0.

SAN MIG SUPER COFFEE 94 – Pingris 15, Sangalang 14, Simon 13, Blakely 10, Yap 8, Taha 7, Melton 7, Barroca 6, Mallari 6, Devance 4, Maliksi 2, Matias 2, Holstein 0.

Quarterscores: 34-28, 60-46, 77-73, 95-94