Jay R. Gotera Saudi Gazette MANILA — Red-hot import Elijah Millsap sizzled for 41 points, including 11 straight in the final period, to power the Petron Blaze Boosters to a 91-83 win against the defending champion Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in Game 1 of the PBA Governors' Cup semifinals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Monday night. The Boosters had the upper hand for most parts of the game and held a brief double-digit lead in the second half. But their big guns suddenly fell silent in the first five minutes of the fourth quarter as the E-Painters ratcheted up their defense. At the same time, Beau Belga and Ryan Arana scored crucial baskets as Rain or Shine grabbed the lead, 77-75. It was at this point when Millsap asserted his might, stringing up 11 straight points, to give Petron back the lead. The Boosters then went on a 7-0 blast, including a dagger three-pointer by Alex Cabagnot, to finish off the E-Painters. Cabagnot finished with 18 points. Behemoth June Mar Fajardo ruled the paint and finished with 15 points and 17 rebounds. Rain or Shine was led by import Arizona Reid who produced 28 points and 11 rebounds. However, Reid suffered from cramps in the second half and could only produce two points in the fourth period. Jeff Chan was the only other big scorer for Rain or Shine with 16 points. Petron head coach Gee Abanilla said Millsap was the big difference in the game. “I think he bailed us out tonight,” Abanilla said of Petron's athletic, sharp-shooting reinforcement who also snagged 14 rebounds. Abanilla rued that some of his local players did not produce the numbers expected of them. “Next time, we need more contributions from the locals. I think some of the locals must step up the next game,” he said. Petron star forward Arwind Santos scored just four points although he made up for this with 10 rebounds and four steals. Both squads shot below 40 percent as both employed stingy defense against each other. Rain or Shine played without starting shooting guard Paul Lee who is still suffering from a right calf muscle injury he suffered in the E-Painters' 108-106 victory over GlobalPort in their quarterfinals match last Thursday. Lee averaged 12 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. Petron also defeated Rain or Shine in their first meeting in the elimination round, 99-84, last Aug. 23. Scores: Petron 91 - Millsap 41, Cabagnot 18, Fajardo 15, Lassiter 4, Santos 4, Tubid 4, Lanete 3, Lutz 2, Kramer 0, Ildefonso 0. Rain or Shine 83 - Reid 28, Chan 16, Belga 7, Arana 7, Matias 6, Rodriguez 6, Cruz 5, Uyloan 4, Norwood 2, Tiu 1, Tang 1, Quinahan 0, Ibanes 0.
