Monday, October 06, 2008 Rain or Shine shows promise, dumps Air 21
MANILA - The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters showed their serious intention of getting out of a long slump as they forged a promising 120-102 win over Air 21 Express yesterday in the 34th KFC-PBA Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Finishing last in the last four conferences, the Elasto Painters worked on a superb offense anchored on top pick Gabe Norwood to beat the Express for only the second time in eight encounters since 2006.
“I’m very glad of our new hopefuls in TY Tang, Norwood and Solomon Mercado. They have shown it’s going to be different this time. Even in practice they are too focused. I’m happy with it,” said Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia.
They even took a big lead of 101-81 with 5:55 remaining in the match en route to their all-time biggest win in franchise history and all-time franchise most points for a non-overtime game.
“This is now really a different team and I hope, we can keep the intensity. We don’t really want to finish 10th this time. Our target is at least a quarterfinals finish and we have this chance now with the way our team is playing,” said Garcia.
Solomon Mercado, the No. 4 pick in the annual draft last August, topscored for the Elasto
Painters with 29 points, including 5-of-10 attempts in the three-point arc on top of 7 rebounds and four assists.
Eddie Laure settled with 20, including five triples and five rebounds, while Ryan Arana and Jay-Arr Reyes finished with 17 points apiece. The 6-foot-6 Norwood went on to score six points and two rebounds.
Ranidel de Ocampo led the Express with 22 points and 16 for Douglas Kramer.
Lopsided
Despite the almost lopsided win, it was hotly contested that saw the ejection of Air 21’s Waynne Arboleda due to two technical fouls, Homer Se and Arwind Santos for deliberate fouls.
The Elasto Painters, bolstered by the acquisition of prized recruits Norwood and Mercado, took an early 15-6 lead but the Express came back and tied the match, 19-19, on JC Intal’s three-pointers with still 4:10 remaining in the opening period.
A see-saw battle ensued between the two teams before Marvin Cruz connected a triple that triggered a 12-5 run to move the Express on top, 31-24, going to the second quarter.
The 5-foot-11 Mercado, who played for Harbour Centre in the PBL, opened the second canto with a triple and Laure added two in Rain or Shine’s 10-0 quick rally to grab back the lead, 34-31, only three minutes gone.
After Jay-Arr Quinones and Se scored a basket each for the Express, Ty Tang conspired with Mercado in igniting a fiery 16-2 blitz for a 53-41 lead by the Elasto Painters.
Rain or Shine’s blazing rally was highlighted by the ejection of Air 21’s Se for hitting Mark Andaya in the face with his right elbow still 4:17 left before the half. (FCC)
