Once again, Bacoleño Jeff Chan waxed hot  on the hard court as he delivered a 26-point performance in the second half as Rain or Shine stayed in the hunt for a first final appearance, drubbing Powerade, 112-98, to force a sudden death in their PBA Philippine Cup Final Four showdown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday.

The lefty gunner rattled in 15 straight markers in a five-minute stretch in the second half as the Elasto Painters built a 92-76 lead and kept the Tigers at bay the rest of the way.

Paul Lee, Ronnie Matias and JR Quinahan also provided a push as Rain or Shine forged the 3-3 tie in the best-of-seven series.

The Elasto Painters and the Tigers clash in a do-or-die match at 5:15 p.m. tomorrow at the Cuneta Astrodome.

It’s a double Game Seven as the Talk n Text Tropang Texters also forced a rubber match in their semis series with the Petron Blaze Boosters.

It will only be the third time in history that the league will have this gigantic card.

Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao believed they would have the advantage being fresher going to tomorrow’s game.

“We’re fresher because everybody can play and anybody can deliver for us. Sa kanila tatlo (Gary David, Marcio Lassiter and Jayvee Casio) lang ang naglalaro,” said Guiao.

“It’s simple that we’re outworked, outhustled and outplayed tonight. That’s not the way to make the next level. Hopefully, we can work things out Wednesday,” said Powerade coach Bo Perasol.

Rain or Shine did outwork and outplay Powerade as a team, overcoming the 30-point explosions of David and Lassiter.

“Our energy level was a lot better than it was the last time. We played their three scorers a lot better. We made them work for their baskets, and they seemed to get tired,” said Guiao.

“We knew they would get their baskets. What we wanted was to make it harder for them, and it would be good for us. Napagod din siguro at bumigay sa huli,” Guiao added.

Offensively, Chan stepped up and starred in the Elasto Painters’ decisive four-quarter breakaway.

Chan rifled in five three-pointers, including three in a personal binge that opened a double-digit margin for ROS at 86-76.

Lee and Gabe Norwood also knocked in treys later to make it 92-76 with 7:52 left to go.

Lee finished with 15 points, seven rebounds and three assists, Matias contributed 14 points and seven rebounds while Quinahan logged 15 rebounds and six points.*pba.com

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