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Friday, March 29, 2024

Rain or Shine back to its winning ways

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IS Rain or Shine Back to its consistent ways?

Judging from how it started the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup, the Painters looked primed up and serious in getting back to its winning ways.

The Elasto Painters are currently tied for first place with TNT KaTropa as both teams hold 2-0 cards to start the tournament. Rain or Shine had victories over Alaska and crowd darling Barangay Ginebra.

Rain or Shine hasn’t tasted leadership for quite sometime now and its current stand is certainly a pleasant sight for the players and management.

After getting eliminated in the quarterfinals right away in the Philippine Cup and having a mediocre season last year, it’s easy to understand Rain or Shine’s hunger.

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Chris Tiu of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters drives against Barangay Ginebra’s LA Tenorio in a PBA Commissioner’s Cup game won by the Painters, 108-89.

“We want to have a better showing this conference. We believe we can do more,” said Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia. “It’s been up and down for us and we hope we can find consistency.”

Garcia then went on to point out what is clicking for the Painters so far and how that can lead them back to contention.

“For as long as we move the ball well to find open shots and make them, I think we will have a good conference.”

Also, it helps that burly Reggie Johnson is showing that he might very well be what the doctor ordered for Rain or Shine.

In his two games thus far, Johnson has shown that his added muscle and inside presence can boost and change his squad for the better.

“Our import (Johnson) is also fitting us well so far. He’s a fit to what we’re trying to do and run as a team.”

Another reason for the surge is due to the the steady leadership provided by veteran guard Chris Tiu.

The 32-year-old Tiu averaged all-around numbers of 14 points, 6.5 assists and 3.0 rebounds as Rain or Shine opened the mid-season conference with two quick wins to become the first PBA Press Corps Player of the Week.

The former Ateneo playmaker had 18 points, issued 6 assists and collared 3 rebounds in a productive night to complement Johnson’s monster debut as Rain or Shine outlasted a fighting Alaska squad, 109-103 in overtime last Friday.

Tiu showed no signs of slowing down two days later as the ROS guard provided solid numbers of 10 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 rebounds to help the Elasto Painters turn what was expected to be a tight contest into a ghastly rout of the Kings, 108-89.

A one-time PBA Three-Point champion, Tiu bested teammate Raymond Almazan, along with TNT guards Jayson Castro, Terrence Romero and Jericho Cruz for the weekly citation for the period of April 22-29.

Rain or Shine will next face NLEX on Wednesday when action shifts to the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

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