ROS to the finals; erases Grand Slam hopes of SMB

RoS guard Paul Lee attempts to score while being guarded by SMB bigman June Mar Fajardo PHOTO CREDITS: Tristan Tamayo

The Elasto Painters just began a run for the championship tonight to finally hold a tournament winning trophy since 2012.

Working perfectly fine, they edged the Grand Slam hopeful San Miguel Beermen, 124-99  to realize a second straight finals stint in the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

A clearly lethal Paul Lee scored 18 points and tallied five assists in topping his team performance in a dominant outing against a powerhouse team.

"Napakasaya makapasok ulit sa Finals (It's a great feeling to be back again in the Finals)" Coach Yeng Guiao said when asked about his thoughts but he reminded his team to stay humble  because they didn't win the crown yet. 

Reid and Cabagnot tried to lead a comeback and SMB was partially successful as the Beermen clawed to within 11. But Cruz nailed back-to-back 3s from the left corner, stoking the E-Painters’ charge to a 92-70 spread at the end of the third quarter but it seems like the Painters don't want to extend the series.

The Finals could start at Wednesday as the Painters just wait the winner of the Alaska-Meralco series. 

The Scores:

RAIN OR SHINE 124 – Lee 18, Henderson-Niles 15, Norwood 15, Tiu 13, Cruz 12, Almazan 10, Ahanmisi 9, Quiñahan 8, Chan 6, Ponferrada 5, Belga 4, Ibañes 3, Nimes 2, Teng 2, Trollano 2.

SAN MIGUEL 99 – Reid 25, Lassiter 20, Cabagnot 18, Fajardo 12, Espinas 6, Ross 6, Santos 6, David 5, De Ocampo 1, Arana 0, Heruela 0, Tubid 0.

Quarters: 23-22, 61-42, 92-70, 124-99