Rain or Shine played with its fourth import in the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup on Wednesday when it took on the NLEX Road Warriors.
The Elasto Painters paraded Richard Ross, Jr. in lieu of Kwame Alexander, whom they replaced after he hurt his ankle in their matches versus Blackwater and Barangay Ginebra.
Ross Jr. arrived just last Monday and only had two practices with Rain or Shine. Still, he did his best, producing 20 points, eight rebounds, and four assists in over 28 minutes.
However, fouls hampered the ripped 6-foot-5 forward. He already committed three of his five in the first half alone.
And when he slowed down, the Elasto Painters slowed down as well, eventually bowing 91-111.
“We played an excellent first half against probably the best team right now. Hindi lang namin na-carry sa second half ‘yung momentum and na-foul trouble rin ‘yung import namin,” coach Caloy Garcia said.
“I was picking up a lot of fouls that I shouldn’t have, you know. Cheap fouls where I probably should have gotten out of the way,” lamented Ross, who last played in the NBL in China.
So now, the Old Dominion product plans to learn how to limit his fouls in the coming days.
“Obviously it didn’t go how I would have liked. Would have liked to get a win, but everything’s always a learning experience,” said Ross, who also had pro stints in Norway and Luxembourg.
“I got to learn about the league, the do’s and the don’ts, the officiating, how to pick your spots and what to do.”
Ross also plans to help his team give itself a chance of making it into the next round. Currently, the Elasto Painters have dropped to the standings with a 2-7 card.
“My goal is just to do the best I can, do everything I can to help this team to give them a chance to make it to the next round. It’s an uphill battle, but it’s still not completely over,” the 27-year-old said.
‘We still got a chance. As long as there’s a chance, I’m gonna keep fighting for it.”
