Elasto Painters rebound, defuse Bolts - Philippine Star

Rain or Shine’s Paul Lee gets away from Jared Dillinger, Rey Guevarra and Danny Ildefonso of Meralco during their PBA Commissioner’s Cup showdown at the Big Dome last night. JUN MENDOZA

Game Saturday (Binan, Laguna)

5 p.m. – Alaska vs San Miguel Beer

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Cup losing finalist Rain or Shine closed both halves with a flurry, overwhelming Meralco, 96-79, to bounce back from back-to-back setbacks in the PLDT Home TVolution PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

The Elasto Painters pummeled the Bolts, 15-4, in the closing minutes of the first half then held Meralco scoreless in the last five minutes of the game in a crucial win that gave Rain or Shine some relief from a scrambling start in the mid-season tourney.

“We still consider ourselves in a hole, in a struggle. We just got temporary relief. We need to keep on winning to be in contention in this tourney,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao after they nailed only their second win in five outings.

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The Bolts reeled to their third loss in six games – probably the signal for the team management and coaching staff to finally field in reserve import Darnell Jackson in favor of Brian Butch.

Playing under the weather, Butch churned out only 11 points and 13 rebounds after exploding for 40 markers and 31 boards the last time out.

Alex McLean helped Rain or Shine through against Meralco, prompting the team to reconsider its own plan to tap a new reinforcement.

“We will talk about McLean’s status tomorrow (today). Our options are open. Our next game is on Monday so we need to decide by tomorrow,” said Guiao. “He played good today. The question is can he be consistent and take us to the playoffs.”

Ready to fly in anytime for RoS is Wayne Chism, the original choice of Barako Bull. Chism had actually practiced with the Energy Cola only to find out he had a contractual problem with his previous team in Hungary. Chism has apparently resolved his problem in Hungary, making him free to join Rain or Shine.

McLean delivered game-highs of 23 points and 16 rebounds with Jeff Chan, Paul Lee, Gabe Norwood and Jervy Cruz adding double-digit numbers as the E-Painters checked a two-game slump against the San Miguel Beermen and the San Mig Coffee Mixers.

The E-Painters were enjoying just a four-point lead at 83-79 before going on a 13-0 closing run in the contest.

“The days we play defense, we win games. This is one of those rare days. Also, we had problems with turnovers the past few games. We managed to bring down our turnovers in this game,” said Guiao.

“But we’re just really starting to get our rhythm going. I hope it’s not too late,” Guiao added.

Chan went 2-of-2 from the field and 3-of-3 from the stripe in fuelling a decisive run that shattered a 29-all count and opened a commanding 44-31 lead for the E-Painters shortly before the half.

The low-scoring first half ended at 44-33 with only Chan and Gary David putting in double-digit outputs with 12 and 10, respectively.

The E-Painters shackled Butch from the start, holding him down to eight points on 3-of-11 shooting in the first 24 minutes of play.

Wesley Witherspoon struggled for only 25 points in his second game in the local pro league but made crucial baskets at the finish in helping Air21 to a 97-95 decision over Barangay Ginebra later in the night.

The Express caught up with the Bolts at fourth place at 3-3 while the Kings slid to joint eighth with the Barako Bull Energy Cola at 2-4.

The Kings actually had a chance to force overtime but Leon Rodgers failed to convert his attack in the last four seconds of play.

Coach Juno Sauler curiously went to Rodgers for that last play after benching the import all the way from the third quarter.

NOTES: Naturalized player Marcus Douthit was at the Big Dome last night for some relaxation. He looks forward to playing in the FIBA World Cup and the Asian Games though fully aware Gilas Pilipinas is considering to tap in Brooklyn Net Andray Blatche as an addition to the national pool. He said he has “lot of unfinished business left,” having missed the gold-medal game of the last FIBA Asia Championship due to a hamstring injury suffered in the semifinals.

The scores:

First Game

Rain or Shine 96 – McLean 23, Chan 21, Lee 16, Norwood 13, Belga 7, Cruz 6, Araña 2, Almazan 2, Tiu 2, Ibañes 2, Rodriguez 2, Tang 0, Nuyles 0, Teng 0.

Meralco 79 – David 20, Dillinger 14, Hodge 12, Butch 11, Hugnatan 7, Artadi 4, Ildefonso 2, Sena 2, Guevarra 2, Wilson 2, Mandani 2, Al-Hussaini 1, Caram 0, Salvacion 0.

Quarterscores: 23-17, 44-33, 72-60, 96-79

Second Game

Air21 97 – Witherspoon 25, Yeo 18, Cardona 15, Borboran 10, Ramos 10, Taulava 9, Villanueva 6, Burtscher 2, Atkins 2, Camson 0.

Ginebra 95 – Rodgers 18, Aguilar 15, Slaughter 12, Ellis 10, Helterbrand 10, Tenorio 9, Baracael 6, Reyes 6, Mamaril 4, Urbiztondo 3, Caguioa 2.

Quarterscores: 27-25, 57-48, 80-70, 97-95

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