Reyes’ goes 5-for-5 from triple country en route to career 2nd-best 24 to lead Elasto Painters
Wednesday, 19 November 2008

JayR Reyes tallied a career second-best 24 points and had 11 rebounds and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters riddled Alaska with three-point shots to snap a nine-game losing spell against the Aces 92-88 Wednesday night in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
Reyes, who scored 11 of his points in the third quarter, went 5-for-5 from behind the arc as ROS won for the first time against Alaska since joining the league three years ago.

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"This is our biggest win this conference. I think Alaska is the team to beat in the tournament and to be able to compete with them only shows we've improved a lot," said Rain or Shine head coach Caloy Garcia afterwards.

The Elasto Painters blew a 12-point first quarter lead, trailed by five in the second quarter, took control again in the third before holding off a fiery rally by the Aces in the fourth with efficient defense and good ball movement.

"Once again my rookies played big. Many thought Gabe Norwood is a soft player but tonight he showed he could be tough on both ends. And Sol (Mercado)… he provided stability in the fourth," said Garcia in praise of his prized rookies.

Mercado finished with 20 points and Norwood had 12 and 10 rebounds as Rain or Shine outrebounded Alaska, 50-40.

Rain or Shine also got big games from Rob Wainwright (11 points) and Allan Salansang (9 points, 3-of-3 from 3-point range).

As a team, the Elasto Painter made 12-of-29 shots from the 3-point range to snap a two-game losing streak and improved to a 6-5 (win-loss) record.

Prior to the game, Rain or Shine was averaging a league-best 11.1 field goals made from 3-point range.

Alaska, which saw its four-game winning streak snapped, held a 46-45 lead when Reyes went on a scoring binge.

The athletic slotman scored 11 straight points including three treys as Rain or Shine closed the third quarter with a 22-15 run to pull ahead, 67-61.

Alaska made a desperate effort at the start of the fourth and took a 75-74 lead on a slam by Sonny Thoss with 6:21 remaining.

But Wainwright knocked in a three in the ensuing play and after the Aces committed a turnover in their next possession, Mercado scored on a lay-up to give the Elasto Painters a four-point lead that held on till the end.

Willie Miller led all scorers by matching his conference-high with 29 points. Tony dela Cruz added 13 and Thoss had 12 for Alaska which fell to 8-3. (DBC)

The scores:

Rain or Shine 92 - Reyes 24, Mercado 20, Norwood 12, Wainwright 12, Salangsang 9, Isip 5, Arana 4, Ibanes 4, Laure 2, Tang 0.

Alaska 88 - Miller 29, Dela Cruz 13, Thoss 12, De Vance 11, Ferriols 8, Hugnatan 6, Cariaso 6, Fonacier 3, Tenorio 0.

Quarterscores: 23-15, 42-42, 67-61, 92-88.

Source: http://www.pba.ph/content/view/2376/1/