With a new import entered into their system, it was the All-Filipino crew of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters that did the damage in a late-game blowout over the Mahindra Enforcers, 103-88, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Friday evening.
Rain or Shine paraded returning PBA import Jason Forte to replace Dior Lowhorn. Forte saw only 17 minutes in this game off the bench, with 10 points and six rebounds.
Some well-balanced scoring meant six Elasto Painters tallied double-figures, led by 14 points from Raymond Almazan. Beau Belga had 13 points and eight boards.
The Elasto Painters lost an 18-point first half advantage quickly prior to the break.
“Kapag lumalamang ng malaki, nagkaka-kumpiyansa, bumababa yung energy kaya yun yung in-emphasize ni coach,” Belga pointed out.
Coach Yeng Guiao admitted that he feels more comfortable playing the team without a reinforcement and said that the team plays better without one. A 9-0 run in the fourth quarter provided the game-deciding run with points combined from Beau Belga, Jewel Ponferada and Paul Lee. However, he accepts the challenge of having help a reinforcement in this import-driven conference.
“Actually ‘di namin makuha chemistry namin. Maganda talaga laro namin pag All-Filipino,” he opened up.
“I guess that’s the challenge for us, to gel him as soon as we can pero mas maganda laro namin kung all-Filipino kami.”
As for Forte’s performance, Guiao emphasized the importance of sinking free throws, especially in close games.
“I told him he cannot miss that many free throws. Lots of games are going to be won by 3-4 points. That’s something we need to check by Sunday,” Guiao said.
The Painters gathered 27 assistsoff their 37 field goal conversions, which was nine more dimes compared to Mahindra’s. They also scored more from their fast break chances, 17-5.
James White led Mahindra in scoring with 16 markers and 10 rebounds, but shot a dismal 6-of-18 from the floor. Aldrech Ramos put up 17 points, but suffered an ankle injury that he played through in the fourth.
The Enforcers were without KG Canaleta, who had appendicitis and is expected to miss a couple of weeks. Rain or Shine will also miss the services of Chris Tiu for the next two games due to an injury after getting his face hit.
Rain or Shine (T-6th, 4-4) snap their two-game funk and tie Phoenix in the middle of the standings. They will next face the NLEX Road Warriors (10th, 3-5) on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena. On the other hand, Mahindra (3rd, 6-3) pull themselves half a game behind second spot holders SMB and Ginebra. They will next face the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (2nd, 6-2) next Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Scores:
Rain or Shine (103) – Almazan 14, Belga 13, Cruz 12, Lee 12, Chan 10, Forte 10, Norwood 7, Quinahan 7, Ahanmisi 6, Trollano 5, Ponferada 4, Matias 3.
Mahindra (88) – Ramos 17, White 16, Guinto 12, Yee 12, Revilla 8, Taha 6, Agovida 5, Digregorio 5, Aguilar 4, Bagatsing 2, Ballesteros 1, Elorde 0, Jaime 0, Pacquiao 0, Webb 0.
Quarterscores: 20-15, 46-44, 68-63, 103-88
