QUEZON CITY--Rain Or Shine withstood late adversities to repeat its PBA Commissioner's Cup finals dominance against Alaska, 117-114, in their Governors' Cup meeting at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday night.
The Elasto Painters had to play minus Coach Yeng Guiao, who got sent off late in the third quarter, while needing to fight back from 11 points down with less than seven minutes left in the game.
Guiao was assessed with a technical foul for continuous complaining after a foul by Raymond Almazan on LaDontae Henton in the second quarter of the match.
Guiao again showed his disagreement on another Almazan foul on Henton with 3:11 left in the third, and the referees decided to show the fiery coach the door.
The Aces appeared to have taken advantage of Guiao's ejection as they completely jumped out from a 10-point deficit in the second quarter to take a 98-87 lead with 6:57 to go in the game.
ROS, however, went on a 18-6 run to reclaim the lead, 105-104, with 2:23 left.
Calvin Abueva gave the lead back to Alaska, 106-105, after making two free throws with 2:10 remaining.
But a go-ahead three from Paul Lee sparked the game-deciding 10-2 run by the Elasto Painters to take the win.
Lee finished with 18 points, making all of his three treys, with a rebound, four assists, and a steal to backstop Dior Lowhorn's 24-point, 10-rebound, five-assist, and two-steal output as ROS survived a 41-point game from Henton, who committed seven turnovers as well.
The Elasto Painters, despite 24 errors in total, won after making 58 percent of their shots and dishing out 29 assists.
Box Scores:
Rain Or Shine 117-Lowhorn 24, Lee 18, Quinahan 16, Tiu 13, Chan 10, Cruz 9, Norwood 8, Almazan 6, Belga 6, Ponferada 4, Trollano 3, Ahanmisi 0, Nimes 0
Alaska 114-Henton 41, Abueva 17, Casio 13, Hontiveros 13, Thoss 11, Jazul 8, Racal 5, Exciminiano 3, Baclao 2, Menk 1, Banchero 0, Magat 0
Quarterscores: 22-17, 56-53, 82-82, 117-114
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
Alaska 114-Henton 41, Abueva 17, Casio 13, Hontiveros 13, Thoss 11, Jazul 8, Racal 5, Exciminiano 3, Baclao 2, Menk 1, Banchero 0, Magat 0
Quarterscores: 22-17, 56-53, 82-82, 117-114
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno