Kwame Alexander returned to the PBA with a bang, helping Rain or Shine take down Blackwater, 99-82, in the 2019 Governors’ Cup Wednesday evening at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.
The former NLEX Road Warriors import finished with 17 points, 16 rebounds, three assists, three steals, and a block in the win that finally snapped the Elasto Painters’ four-game losing skid.
He was also responsible in warding off the Elite when the latter knocked to within three, 81-84, burying a triple with 3:14 left to play that sparked his side’s 15-1 run to finish the game.
“With the new import that we have, he gave us what we needed. Rebound, rebound, rebound. That’s one position that we lacked and today he came out well,” said coach Caloy Garcia.
Rey Nambatac top-scored for the Elasto Painters with 18 points, along with seven rebounds and seven assists.
Beau Belga had 17 points and five rebounds in the win which he was not able to finish as he got fouled out with 3:37 left in the game. Ed Daquioag chimed in 13 markers.
Bobby Ray Parks Jr. set the pace for Blackwater with 27 points and 11 rebounds in a losing effort.
Marqus Blakely produced 21 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, four steals, and two blocks, as Mike Cortez supplied 16 markers, five boards, three dimes, and a steal for the Elite.
Both teams now sport identical 2-5 records, forming a three-way tie at ninth with Phoenix in the standings.
Both squads will see action again on Saturday, October 26, at SMART Araneta Coliseum. Blackwater battles Alaska at 4:30 p.m., while Rain or Shine takes on Barangay Ginebra at 6:45 p.m.
The Scores:
Rain or Shine 99 – Nambatac 18, Alexander 17, Belga 17, Daquioag 13, Exciminiano 8, Ponferada 7, Borboran 7, Norwood 5, Mocon 3, Onwubere 3.
Blackwater 82 – Parks 27, Blakely 21, Cortez 16, Sumang 7, Belo 7, Maliksi 2, Sena 2, Cruz 0, Desiderio 0, Heruela 0, Al-Hussaini 0, Jose 0.
Quarterscores: 20-26, 49-40, 69-67, 99-82.
