Rain or Shine's Wayne Chism puts up a shot while banging bodies with Talk N Text's Jay Washington in Game 3 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum Sunday. Jay R. Gotera Saudi Gazette
MANILA — The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters cashed in on an explosive start and unrelenting defense to bludgeon the Talk N Text Tropang Texters, 109-97, Sunday night in Game 3 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. The Painters thus nailed their second straight victory over the Texters after losing the opener for a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven championship series. ROS now has history on its side since 24 of 39 teams that took a 2-1 lead in a best-of-seven PBA Finals went on to win the title. Painters' import Wayne Chism proved to be the biggest difference in the game, banging in 32 points, 13 of them in the first quarter when the Painters raced to an early lead and never looked back. Paul Lee also played brilliantly, putting up 17 points and five assists despite getting his front tooth knocked off courtesy of TNT import Ivan Johnson's wayward elbow in the third quarter. The bloody incident forced Lee to the ROS locker room for first aid treatment at a crucial period in the game. Ironically, it was when Lee was out of the court when the Painters made their biggest run to erect a 19-point lead, 84-65, going into the fourth quarter behind the blazing guns of Chism and Jeff Chan, who finished with 12 points. Rookie Jericho Cruz added 14 markers. Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao again found himself crashing to the floor just like in Game 1, and again the cause was Johnson, the volatile TNT import. But while Johnson intentionally bumped Guiao in Game 1 causing the coach to crash to the ROS bench, Guiao on Sunday night tripped by himself on the floor while trying to avoid contact with Johnson who was diving for the loose ball in front of the Painters' bench. Johnson led TNT with 30 points and 14 rebounds. He scored11 of his points in the fourth period when the Texters managed to somehow reduce ROS lead to 103- 90, the closest the Texters could come. Jayson Castro added 20 points while Larry Fonacier and Ranidel de Ocampo chipped in 16 points apiece for TNT. So tenacious was the ROS defense that TNT was held to just 31-of-80 field goal shooting. Kia reinforcements: Meanwhile Kia Motors has acquired the services top Taiwanese gunner Chang Tsung-Hsien for the upcoming PBA Governor's Cup. Chang will team up with hulking import PJ Ramos as the Carnival seek to improve their 11th place finish in the Philippine Cup and the Commissioner's Cup. Game Wednesday: Rain or Shine Elasto Painters vs. Talk N Text Tropang Texters (Game 4 of best-of-seven Finals; ROS up 2-1).
