Lee stars as Rain or Shine ties series at 1 1

(MENAFN- Arab News) MANILA: A point guard was again the biggest difference in the stretch of Game 2 of the Rain or Shine-Talk 'N Text title series for the PBA Commissioner's Cup on Friday night.
This time though it wasn't Jason Castro.
Paul Lee stole the thunder away from Castro's career-high night by pouring in 14 of his 20 points in the final frame and keying a 116-108 victory by the Elasto Painters over the Tropang Texters for a 1-1 count in their best-of-seven playoffs at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
What makes it special was that Castro was running rings around the Rain or Shine defense all night finishing with 44 points that ultimately went to naught when Lee got away from the clutches of the Talk 'N Text defense when it truly mattered.
And what made it even more special for Rain or Shine is that the Painters finally broke through in a series against the Texters winning one after eight failed attempts and making sure that they wouldn't be swept this time around.
'This is a nice way to break the ice. This win gives us great confidence' Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao told reporters. 'This gives us the confidence that we can play with the best.'
Rain or Shine was swept in the Finals of the Philippine Cup in 2013 and in the Final Four here before losing the series-opener 99-92 on Wednesday night when Castro helped ice the victory with a crucial triple in the waning seconds.
On Friday night Castro was again putting himself in position to being the hero yet again shooting 27 of his output in the first two periods that ushered the Tropang Texters to leads of as big as 17 the last at 58-41.
'I just told the boys at halftime that we just needed to weather the storm' Guiao said. 'I just told them to stick to our game plan and to stick together.
'I wish to give credit to my players because they battled back' continued the firebrand coach. 'It was our mental toughness that got us through this game.'
Mental toughness and of course his 6-foot point guard who refused to lose.
Lee who is battling Castro neck and neck for the Best Player of the Conference award scored on a layup and had a triple that sandwiched a Wayne Chism layup which opened up a 110-100 Rain or Shine lead going into the final 3:23.
Jireh Ibanes scored six of his 12 in the final frame but was biggest in the hustle department defending Castro while at the same time working hard to give the Painters at least two extra possessions in the stretch.
'Special mention to Jireh' Guiao said. 'He not only scored some points but he also provided a lot of the hustle out there.'
Ibanes' biggest basket came with 2:03 to play when he grabbed an alleyoop pass from Jeff Chan for a short stab that made it 112-103. That possession was also made possible by a tap he gave in the battle for the rebound after a Lee miss.
'We lost it (game)' Talk 'N Text coach Jong Uichico said. 'We didn't defend the way we should have in the second half.'
Chism paced the Painters with 30 points 13 of them coming in the third as Rain or Shine erased a 49-62 halftime deficit to take an 85-84 lead into the fourth quarter.
The loss was particularly painful for Castro to swallow because he assaulted the record books of the league as far as Finals performances by a local was concerned.
The 6-foot national team point guard drained a total nine three-pointers and rest a 35-year-old standard being held by the legendary Robert Jaworski who converted eight in Game 2 of the Toyota-U-Tex series for the 1980 Open Conference championship.
The 44 points of Castro were also the most by a local since Allan Caidic an all-time great tossed in 48 for Great Taste in the 1987 Reinforced Conference Finals against Tanduay.
'Jason is practically unguardable' Guiao said. 'What you need to do is work hard (on defense) against him and say a lot of prayers.'
Ivan Johnson a day after being fined P150000 for his cheap shot on Guiao in Game 1 had 20 points and 12 rebounds for the Texters.
Jeff Chan Gabe Norwood and Ibanes all tossed in twin digits for the Painters who limited their turnovers to just nine in Game 2 and missed just three of 20 free throws.
Game 3 is slated Sunday afternoon also at the Big Dome.