When the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters went 2-0 in the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup last April 29 with a victory over the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, Raymond Almazan was among the few who expressed wariness of their situation.
“Mahirap pa magsalita e. Marami kaming ganitong scenario eh. Minsan may 3-0 kami. Tapos middle of the season, alam mo yun, medyo nagiging down,” the one-time PBA champion reflected back then, after their 108-89 victory.
And on Wednesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena, Almazan’s worst fears came true.
The Elasto Painters were seemingly a step slow from their form that propelled them to a league-leading 3-0 card, and it proved to be costly as they bowed to John Fields III and a blood-thirsty Columbian Dyip, 104-96.
“We got out the game na sobrang flat. Tsaka binigyan namin sila masyado ng kumpiyansa,” rued the six-foot-eight slotman, whose 16-point, 14-rebound game got wasted. “Siguro yun yung reason ba’t kami natalo.”
“Masyado kaming nag-relax.”
Adding more insult to injury is the fact that this is now their second straight loss to the resurging franchise. The Elasto Painters got edged out by Columbian — then the Kia Picanto — back in the 2018 Philippine Cup, 94-98.
It was also the game that Almazan failed to finish as he got thrown out of the match in the first half, following his near-brawl with opposing big man Eric Camson — a fracas that spilled out to the dugout of the Cuneta Astrodome.
“Gusto ko [pa naman] makabawi,” expressed the five-year pro. “Kasi nung last All-Filipino, ‘di ba na-thrown out dahil nga may nangyari. Kaya gusto ko makabawi. Wala eh, breaks of the game.
“May nananalo, may natatalo.”
Wednesday’s loss is obviously a downer, especially knowing that their next match will be against the defending champions San Miguel Beermen on Sunday, May 13. And Almazan is fully aware of what’s in store for him and Rain or Shine.
“Bahala na si Batman. Bahala na,” quipped Almazan of San Miguel with a chuckle. “Coming from a loss, kalaban mo San Miguel. It’s a tough game. San Miguel naman sobrang lakas na team.
“Adjustment na lang siguro.”
