MANILA, Philippines - Rain or Shine played with a lot of heart and spunk after a weeklong layoff last night, fashioning out a 100-78 demolition of Barako Energy Coffee in the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.
The Elasto Painters, even in the absence of Sol Mercado, pulled away in the third quarter and never let up as they once again hit the .500 mark with the huge victory to start their campaign in the second round of the elimination phase.
Rain or Shine notched a fifth win in 10 games while dealing Barako Energy Coffee a ninth loss against only two victories.
JayR Reyes best typified the determined stand put up by the Elasto Painters as the 6-foot-6 center/forward came through with double-double numbers with 23 points and 10 rebounds in an splendid off-the-bench performance.
He sank three triples, made an emphatic dunk and stood his ground in an exchange of swings with Barako enforcer Chad Alonzo.
“We played with a sense of urgency, knowing we have to start get going with the elimination phase now on its second round,” said Reyes.
“JayR stepped up today. I keep telling him he’s a very talented player but he has to be consistent. He can’t play good today then his game going down the next game,” said Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia.
“What I did today was to start Jervy (Cruz) instead of JayR. I notice he plays better coming off the bench because he sees what’s happening,” Garcia added.
The youthful Rain or Shine mentor, however, stressed team effort was the big difference as they repeated their first-round conquest of the Energy Coffee Masters.
“We played a good team game, not too much fast breaks but good ball movement,” said Garcia.
The Elasto Painters hardly missed the injury-stricken Mercado with Ryan Arana and Jeff Chan playing well on his spot, combining for 25 points.
Air21 played solid basketball on Wynne Arboleda’s return but San Miguel Beer withstood the Express’ challenge, hacking out a 106-100 win in the second game.
“We expect this kind of game. Of course, everybody’s gearing up to play us. We know it’s going to get tougher as the second round goes,” said SMB coach Siot Tanquingcen.
Meanwhile, Barangay Ginebra and Alaska Milk dispute solo third place as they clash today in the Cebu City stop of the Phoenix Fuel PBA on Tour.