In what could be considered a shocker, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters climbed back from a huge double-digit deficit and stunned the San Miguel Beermen in overtime.
The match had already been deemed to go to the defending Commissioner’s Cup champions’ way when they led by as much as 17 points in the second half, until the Elasto Painters brought out a vintage outing and bagged home the 123-119 victory.
So for Raymond Almazan, who was one of Rain or Shine’s catalysts in the uprising with 25 points and 14 rebounds, beating a team that has cemented its status as one the most dreaded in the league truly means a lot.
“Sobrang laking bagay manalo sa powerhouse na tulad ng San Miguel,” the six-year veteran expressed.
“It was a big break for us.”
Almazan was the catalyst for the Elasto Painters especially in the extra period, as he scored eight of his team’s 11 points. He, however, clarified that he didn’t have any conscious efforts in taking over.
“Hindi… Lahat naman kami sa opensa involved. Kung sino libre sa’min, ganun sa’min,” said the 6-foot-8 big man.
“‘Pag feeling mo kaya mo kaya mo, go for it. Total team effort lang kami.”
After Sunday, the Elasto Painters are now atop the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup standings with a 4-1 card. And Sunday’s victory, for Almazan, has only showed that the Elasto Painters can go head-to-head with anybody in the league.
“Lagi naman sinasabi ni coach sa’min na malakas lineup namin. Ang tanong lang how to use it and paano kami makipagcompete. Makikita niyo naman lineup namin, malalaki kami, may talent,” shared Almazan, who is looking to end Rain or Shine’s two-year title drought.
“So masasabi ko lang kaya namin makipag-compete every game and with any team in this league.”
