The losing streak ends for the Elasto Painters.
It took five close games, but the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters finally scored their first win in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup after holding off the Blackwater Bossing, 110-105, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The Elasto Painters had control for the majority of the game but had to fend off a late rally by the Bossing in the fourth quarter.
Timely baskets from Andre Caracut and rookie Adrian Nocum sealed Rain or Shine’s first victory in the conference, leaving only the Converge FiberXers still without a win.
Caracut led the way for the Yeng Guiao-led Elasto Painters with 17 points, while Nocum added 12 markers in the victory.
“Sabi samin ni coach (Yeng), stick lang kami sa game plan, execute namin 'yung mga game plan. Nag-tiwala lang din ako sa mga coaches tapos ginamapanan ko lang din 'yung role ko, kung ano 'yung laro ko ginagawa ko lang din,” Nocum said during the post-game press conference.
Guiao had nothing but praise for the local players in his squad throughout their campaign so far, saying that the problem all along was finding the right import.
“Wala akong masabi dun sa mga locals namin. We've lost all our games before this but ang tingin ko, 'yung mga locals namin did their part. So, diperensyang import lang talaga,” said Guiao.
Rain or Shine recently fielded Tree Treadwell, who replaced DaJuan Summers after the team’s 0-4 start in the conference.
And while Treadwell is not known for his scoring, Guiao said that he brings what the Elasto Painters badly need to win games.
“Si Tree naman, we know that he's not as prolific a scorer as the other imports, but he can be that defensive presence that we need. Also, he's providing us with the rebounds that we need,” said Guiao.
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As Rain or Shine grabbed their first win in the conference, Guiao is still hopeful that they can make a good run moving forward.
“We are looking at it as parang spark na kailangan namin. May chance pa naman eh. Hindi naman kami nawawalan ng pag-asa,” said Guiao.
“Meron pa kaming limang laro, eh malay niyo mai-straight namin limang laro. May milagro pa rin namang nangyayari eh,” he added.
Rain or Shine will look to build a winning streak this time around as they face the NLEX Road Warriors on December 8, still at the PhilSports Arena.
Blackwater, meanwhile, will look to turn their conference around as they go up against the undefeated Magnolia Hotshots on Wednesday.
(CF)