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| Sports5 file/Pranz Kaeno Billones |
Paul Lee, struggling or not, is a definite threat during clutch time.
With .9 ticks on the clock, Lee nailed an inbound alley-oop pass to lift Rain or Shine up over San Mig Coffee to draw first blood in their finals showdown, 83-80, on Valentine's Day.
The game was a close one, with Rain or Shine not gaining enough ground over San Mig Coffee. Where the E-Painters went, the Mixers seemed to be always close by, stalking within striking distance.
Rain or Shine was still up, 69-67, when San Mig Coffee, led by back-up guards Alex Mallari and Justin Melton, unleashed a 9-1 flurry to gain the lead, 76-70.
But the Elasto Painters were quick to recover, and two back-to-back triples by Gilas wingman Jeff Chan sparked a 8-0 counterattack to relinquish the lead, 78-76.
Not wanting to let up, Tim Cone put his starters back. Mixers undisputed star, James Yap, answered the call, nailing two consecutive jumpers to put his squad ahead, 80-78.
Chan miffed a three-ball in the ensuing play, but scrappy forward Jervy Cruz recovered the loose ball and made a hook shot over veteran forward Marc Pingris. The score is tied, 80-80
Cone drew up a play for Yap, but point guard Mark Barocca deviated from the play and took matters into his own hands. His plan was foiled, however, and, Rain or Shine had one more chance to put the game away.
Then came Lee's fateful shot, which surprisingly wasn't the original play designated. Guiao's play was supposed to be a three by Chan off a Lee screen. But Gabe Norwood saw Lee open, and the man dubbed Angas ng Tondo did not fail Norwood.
San Mig Coffee called an extra timeout, resulting in a made technical free-throw by Lee. Their desperation heave was also futile.
Key Statline
Game Score Formula: PTS + .4 x FGm -.7 x FGa - .4 x (FTa-FTm) +.7 x OREB + .3 x DREB + STL + .7 x AST + .7 x BLK - .7 x PFs - TOV
Effective Field Goal % Formula : (FGm + .5 x 3PTm) divided by FGA
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