by John Paul Marquez

“We Dare to Dream”, and now, it's really a dream come true for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters who shined in the recent PBA Governors Cup, winning their first title in franchise history since entering the league in 2006 from Welcoat, after killing the hopes of B-Meg Llamados, 83-76, in their sudden-death Game 7 last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

                 After the buzzer sounds Rain or Shine won the PBA Governors Cup title behind Best Import awardee Jamelle Cornley who dished 20 markers and 14 boards. They came out from a 3-1 advantage but B-Meg recovered by winning two straight games, sending the series into the deciding game. Yet, B-Meg was not able to continue their streak as they ended up losing on last night's game.

                      Jeff Chan of RoS, who was sizzling hot in the first quarter, sank a couple of three pointers for a total of 16 points for him, bouncing on his last game’s output. Chan, hailed as the Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) for averaging 11.6 points and three rebounds a game, is also the Most Improved awardee.

                      RoS ended up the quarter ahead 35-22. Early fragrant foul was called to James Yap and Chito Jaime in 11:53 start of second. After that incident, B-Meg made a rally as they dropped 9-0 bomb to take down the lead 35-31 courtesy of James Yap who’s got 23 points in that game but Chan made an answer with his three taking the deficit again 38-31. Llamados Import Marcus Blakely soar high for a lay-up and a foul to even the game at 48 but off the bench Jervy Cruz’s buzzer beater putback made his team on top in the half, 50-48.

               B-Meg regained the lead in the opening of the third quarter, 51-50 but RoS grabbed back the lead after Gabe Norwood’s trey sank a 13-2 run. B-Meg’s energizer Marc Pingris commits his 5th foul in the game in 2:33 mark before the quarter ends. The Llamados received another black-eye after Blakely charged for his 5th foul as well, with only 5:6 seconds left. RoS in front, 68-64.

                     Early in the fourth quarter Marcus Blakely took his last game in the series after he hooked his final foul with 8:30 remaining, walking with 15 points and 16 rebounds. Despite of losing their import, Big Game James Yap carried his team with a three and Raffy Reavis sending a putback to keep them alive in the game, 76-73. The Elasto Painters seemed worried when their main guy Jamelle Cornley downed on the floor for some knee problem but got up immediately to make sure that his team will win the crown. Plenty of misses for B-Meg, from Yap, De Ocampo and Reavis after PJ Simon’s steal and a lay-up, 82-76, still trailing, they never scored again.

                    RoS, even without their franchise player Rookie of the Year Paul Lee who suffered an injury in his shoulder in game 2, still delivered the very important game of the series.

                     For the last six years they were always at the bottom of the standing. They are always the underdog until in this series, but now they are the ones who survived the challenges from the toughest teams in the league. Rain or Shine Head Coach Yeng Guiao won his 6th title (all with import), 1st for the RoS.

                     August 19 will be the Rookie Draft, where in Junmar Fajardo, Chris Tiu, Calvin Abueva, Cliff Hodge, Chris Ellis, Dave Marcello, Alex Mallari, Aldrich Ramos, and a lot of rookie applicants will try their luck in the big league. The 38th season will start on September 30.



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