Underrated Rain or Shine Elasto Painters try to stay on top of the standings of the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup when they battle the GlobalPort Batang Pier 4:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel takes on the Phoenix Petroleum Fuelmasters at 6:45 p.m.
The Elasto Painters (4 wins, 1 loss) have surprised all the experts by grabbing the overall lead this conference. Trailing them closely are the Alaska Aces (3-1), the TNT KaTropa (3-1), the Meralco Bolts (3-1) and the Magnolia Hotshots (2-1).
The other teams include the Globalport Batang Pier (3-2), Columbian Dyip (3-3) and the Phoenix Petroleum Fuelmasters (2-2). Bringing up the rear are Barangay Ginebra (1-2), the NLEX Road Warriors (1-4), San Miguel Beer (0-2) and the Blackwater Elite (0-5).
The Elasto Painters have vaulted to the top of the standings thanks to the inspired play of their local players led by Maverick Ahanmisi, Chris Tiu, Gabe Norwood and big men Raymond Almazan and Beau Belga.
They also have a fat and overweight import in Reggie Johnson who has skills to make up for his ponderous girth. But don’t underestimate the Elasto Painters because of their import. The last PBA title they won was the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup when they paraded a similarly pudgy import in Pierre Henderson-Niles.
But the big story for Rain or Shine is its locals. Almazan stepped up for the Elasto Painters when they beat the defending champion San Miguel Beer in overtime, 123-119, last Sunday.
Rested the entire fourth quarter, Almazan scored eight of his 25 points in extra period as Rain or Shine humbled the SMB super team which included four-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo, former MVP Arwind Santos and PBA number 1 draft pick Christian Standhardinger.
Almazan had a productive game with a double-double including 14 rebounds that went with his 8-of-12 field shooting and 9-of-16 free throws.
And Johnson, Tiu, Ahanmisi and Norwood had their moments as they bounced back from their loss to Columbian Dyip to wrest the solo league leadership with a 4-1 win-loss mark.
The Beermen suffered a second loss in the tourney even with the addition of Standhardinger who finished with 17 markers and 15 boards. SMB earlier lost to Meralco.
Rain or Shine lost an early 12-point lead and had to rally from an 18-point deficit in fashioning out the victory.
After a poor start, the Beermen raced ahead to post a 63-39 edge at halftime. They were led by Santos and Standhardinger who had 15 points apiece and Fajardo who added 13.
The Beermen kept the pace until Tiu, Ahanmisi and Norwood got the E-Painters back into the fight in the fourth quarter.
Norwood drilled back-to-back treys which pushed the E-Painters ahead, 102-100. The game went into overtime when time expired with the score tied at 112 all.
Rain or Shine seized control in overtime on a trey by Norwood followed by four straight free throws by Almazan.
Before that win over San Miguel, Rain or Shine roared to its third consecutive victory with a slim 98-97 victory over NLEX last May 2.
Reggie Johnson had a double-double of 27 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 blocks. He hit a free throw that proved to be the difference in Rain or Shine’s third straight win this conference.
Jay Washington played just 8 minutes but made the most of his time as he registered 10 points.