Denzel Bowles willed Rain or Shine past Phoenix to earn their second win in the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Sunday.
The former Best Import scored 16 of his 28 points in the final frame alone, including the three-point play that gave the Elasto Painters an 82-80 lead with 2:20 left to play which they hinged on to en route to the 89-82 victory.
“It’s good that Denzel was able to give us this win. He didn’t want to lose. That’s the kind of character of an import that you want,” lauded Rain or Shine head coach Caloy Garcia.
“The nice thing in the fourth is, he took matters in his own hands.”
Bowles also collected 14 rebounds, five assists, a steal, and a block in the 41 minutes he played.
For Bowles, that takeover he did in the fourth made him feel like the Bowles that played in the league a few years back.
“It felt like a vintage me, back a few years ago when I played here.
“The takeover like that, it felt really good. I was a little sluggish today,” said Bowles, who last played in the PBA in 2016 with the Star Hotshots.
“Luckily, the import fouled out and I just wanted to take over and give us a chance to win it,” added the 30-year-old, as his Fuel Masters counterpart Richard Howell already got fouled out with 3:40 remaining in the final quarter,” he continued.
This has been Bowles’ fourth game with the Elasto Painters, and he’s seemingly shown how well he has been adjusting with his new team. For the eight-year pro, he and Rain or Shine are getting better together as the tilt progresses.
“This is a different offense for me and I’m adjusting to my teammates and they’re adjusting to me. I think every game we’re getting better and better,” he said. “We’re a defensive team so we will always be in the game.”
Now, will we see more of him taking over games?
“That’s what I feel. I hope so.”
