Denzel Bowles gleamed after seeing his former coach Tim Cone again after a long while, when his Rain or Shine Elasto Painters faced the decorated mentor’s Barangay Ginebra in the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Friday night.
It marked the first time the two played against each other since their time together as a successful duo with the B-Meg Llamados. Back then, the two won the 2012 Commissioner’s Cup title in dramatic fashion.
That title run marked Cone’s first gold with the Purefoods franchise, while Bowles became a well-loved import in the league. His freebies sent the game versus Talk ‘N Text into overtime and allowed them to bring home the bacon.
“It was fun,” expressed Bowles, who last played under Cone in 2015. “It’s all love. It’s all love between us.
“We got great history – we’re solidified in the PBA from that game. We’re going to always be linked together, so that’s all love.”
However, Bowles wasn’t focused on nostalgia on Friday.
For the 6-foot-10 center, he was all about how to help his Elasto Painters. They have now lost their first two games – to both Meralco and current leaders Blackwater – in the mid-season joust.
Bowles – who was averaging 29.0 points and 9.5 rebounds prior to Friday – poured in 25 points, 17 rebounds, six assists, two steals, and two blocks. His efforts did not go to waste as Rain or Shine reigned victorious, 104-81.
“It was really, for me, trying to get my team going. Maybe if we weren’t zero-two, maybe it would have been more of a storyline for me seeing coach Tim. But I was really focused on Rain or Shine today,” said the Virginia-born pro.
“It felt good. It was a sigh of relief. In this league, no matter who you are, if you lose, you go packing. This one made me feel a little better. I can sleep tonight,” he added with a hearty laugh.
“We’re hoping that this propels us to a good conference.”
