FILIPINO basketball superstar Paul Lee buried a backbreaking three-pointer with just over a minute remaining to help the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters escape with a hard-earned 71-60 victory over Bahrain’s senior men’s national basketball team last night in an exhibition held at a packed Zain Arena in Um Al Hassam.

The game wrapped up the eighth edition of the Bahrain-Philippines Basketball Goodwill Games, and it couldn’t have signed off with a more exciting encounter.

The visiting professionals from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) seemed to be headed towards a lopsided victory with less than five minutes remaining in the contest. But the hosts unleashed a quick 10-0 run to cut the deficit to single digits and make things more interesting in the end.

That set the stage, however, for Lee’s heroics. His vital three-pointer gave the Elasto Painters a 70-60 advantage while abruptly ending Bahrain’s late rally. The home team could not find a basket from there and popular big man Beau Belga pegged the final score from the charity stripe.

Guard Jericho Cruz top scored for the winners with 15 points. He was their only player in double-figures as the Elasto Painters unleashed a balanced attack that saw all 12 of their players make it onto the final score sheet.

JR Quinahan chipped in with nine markers, rookie Maverick Ahanmisi finished with seven, while Jeric Teng, Don Trollano and Belga each had six points.

Lee and Jireh Ibanes had five points apiece, while Jeff Chan and Raymond Almazan contributed four each.

Chris Tiu and Jewel Ponferada rounded off their team’s scorers with three and one point, respectively.

Forward Mohammed Quwayed led Bahrain with 13 points. Kadhem Majed had nine and Mohammed Ameer had eight markers, both coming off the bench.

The result helped keep intact the undefeated record of visiting Filipino professional teams in the Goodwill Games. The Elasto Painters had earlier in the weekend thrashed local club Nuwaidrat.

It was a totally different ball game last night, with the Bahrainis coming out determined and well-prepared while holding a slim lead for much of the first half.

It was a bruising affair and neither side backed down from the challenge, leading to tempers flaring at times and a handful of clashes taking place between players. In the end, cooler heads prevailed and the Elasto Painters used their superior experience to seal the win.

The Elasto Painters participated in the Goodwill Games as part of their preparations for the upcoming PBA season. The Bahrainis are themselves gearing up for forthcoming tournaments over the next several weeks, including the all-important GCC Games.

The Goodwill Games was held under the patronage of the Bahrain Basketball Association and was presented by Houras Consultancy and Uniform Sports Avenue.

Major Sponsors: Zain, Metrobank Nafex, Robinson’s Land Corp., Jollibee and LBC.

Supporting sponsors: Nescafe, Lost Paradise, Casa Mexicana, Sticky Finger, Chukay, Bahay Kubo, GF Corner, Golden Saloon, Pars Hotel, World Travel Services, Arwa Water.

Special thanks to: The Philippine Embassy, Pinay Ikaw Na, Fil-Am and FCBG.