E-Painters test rookie in duel vs Bolts

Games today (Cuneta Astrodome)

5:45 p.m. – Rain or Shine vs Meralco

8 p.m. – San Mig Coffee vs Alaska

MANILA, Philippines - Rain or Shine welcomes the pro debut of No. 3 draft pick Raymond Almazan as the Elasto Painters tangle with the Meralco Bolts, going for an early solo lead in the PLDT MyDSL PBA Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome today.

The Elasto Painters, the Asian Coating Inc. ball club that has been a perennial contender in the league in the last two seasons, take on the Bolts at 5:45 p.m., looking for a follow-up to their rousing 87-74 win over the Commissioner’s Cup titlists Alaska Milk Aces Sunday at the packed University of Southeastern Philippines gym in Davao City.

Alaska and San Mig Coffee, losing its own season debut versus Barangay Ginebra at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday, clash in the day’s other game at 8 p.m.

Almazan, the third pick behind Greg Slaughter and Ian Sangalang in the recent rookie draft, missed the contest as he had just played out his final game as a Letran Knight in the NCAA then.

Under-sized center/forward Jervy Cruz did the job at the paint while Jeff Chan took care of things from the outside as the Elasto Painters opened their campaign in PBA Season 39 on a bright note.

“We’re coming to the game with a lot of optimism. We feel we picked the right players from the draft. We have gotten deeper and they have added better chemistry to our team,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.

“Our defense is active and our offense is in rhythm. The plan is to carry this over to the Meralco game,” Guiao added.

Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio accepted the fact that they’re the underdog versus Rain or Shine.

“Rain or Shine is always tough. We just have to have a solid defensive wall and an efficient offensive attack,” said Gregorio. “We are continuing to find ways to get better. We are focused on familiarizing ourselves with each other, fine-tuning our offense and strengthening our defense.”

Jayson Castro, rookie Eliud Poligrates, transferee Noy Baclao and the returning Kelly Williams put in double-digit outputs as Talk n Text drubbed Meralco, 89-80, over in Cebu Sunday.

Meanwhile, Alaska coach Luigi Trillo took full responsibility on their loss to Rain or Shine Sunday.

“I didn’t do a good job of coaching the last game. I need to be better,” said Trillo.

“We allowed a lot of transition points. We had 20 turnovers compared to 11 of Rain or Shine. Our energy was not like Rain or Shine. I have to get my guys comfortable on the floor again playing both sides of the court,” Trillo added.

Trillo also mentioned, though, a pre-game distraction.

“It was an unusual pre-game in Davao. We waited for four hours in the gym while Rain or Shine had the luxury of going back to their nearer hotel to rest,” he said.