MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Jeff Chan hit the clutch go-ahead 3-pointer and Maverick Ahanmisi finished the job at the free throw line as the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters stunned the San Miguel Beermen, 98-94, to take Game 1 of the best-of-5 semifinals in the 2016 PBA Commissioner's Cup on Sunday, April 24 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Chan, who finished with 10 points, was left wide open for the crucial triple as Paul Lee drew the defense inside and kicked the ball out to his teammate with 63 seconds left to play.
The Beermen wasted a couple of key chances to steal the lead with an empty possession and a critical turnover before rookie Ahanmisi sank 3 of his last 4 charities for the final tally.
The Painters completed a 21-point turnaround after trailing by as much as 18 in the opening quarter and leading for the first time only early in the fourth.
"It's just one of those comebacks that will linger in your memory," said head coach Yeng Guiao.
Ahanmisi sets a new career-high of 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists as he helped fill the offensive void with import Pierre Henderson-Niles battling foul trouble to register just 13 points and 9 rebounds. Jericho Cruz added 11 markers and 4 boards off the bench.
Raymond Almazan, Gabe Norwood, and Paul Lee all had 8 points apiece.
Guiao knocked some sense into his players at the break as they toiled in double-digit holes and allowed San Miguel to shoot 42% while they went only 31% from the field.
"I almost gave up on the guys but the guys did not give up on me," Guiao said. "(At) halftime I was really frustrated. I told the guys we'll be lucky to win one game in this series. And they proved their coach wrong."
Rain or Shine exploded for 32 points in the third quarter to trail just 75-72 entering the final frame.
Two free throws from Jewel Ponferada gave Rain or Shine its first taste of the lead at 83-82 with 7:37 to go. And despite every June Mar Fajardo basket, the Painters never relinquished momentum to their perennial semis foes.
"As great as their import was playing, as great as June Mar was playing, we pulled out a win. That's a great testament to the character of this team," remarked Guiao.
Tyler Wilkerson had another prolific scoring night with 40 points and 11 rebounds while Fajardo backed him up with 23 markers, 13 boards, 3 assists, two steals, and two blocks. Alex Cabagnot chipped in 15 points and 11 rebounds.
The Painters, who are facing the Beermen for the third straight semifinals, are eager for a different outcome.
"We pulled through with the win with team effort. We did not rely on our import, we did not rely on Paul (Lee). Everybody helped out. We just pulled through this crucial test as a team," Guiao said.
"We are looking forward to a series which we might win this time."
Game 2 is on Tuesday, April 26.
Scores:
Rain or Shine (98): Ahanmisi 23, Henderson-Niles 13, Cruz 11, Chan 10, Almazan 8, Lee 8, Norwood 8, Quinahan 7, Belga 4, Ponferada 4, Tiu 2, Ibanes 0, Nimes 0.
San Miguel (94): Wilkerson 40, Fajardo 23, Cabagnot 15, Ross 7, Lassiter 3, Santos 3, Tubid 3, Espinas 0, Luts 0.
Quarter scores: 17-33, 40-50, 72-75, 98-94.
– Rappler.com