E-Painters buck Pacquiao, Mahindra; Hotshots trip Kings in Cone debut

MANILA, Philippines -- Rain or Shine bucked a tentative start, an avalanche of 20 turnovers and a first field basket by Manny Pacquiao as the Elasto Painters ripped the Mahindra Enforcers, 108-94, for the early solo lead in the Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday night.

As in their season debut against the Star Hotshots, the E-Painters took a while to get their game going, trailing by 10 points before hitting their strides and going on to nail a second straight win.

Later in the night, the Hotshots sprang out strong off the starting blocks and demolished former coach Tim Cone and his new team the Barangay Ginebra Kings, 86-78.

James Yap and his teammates built an insurmountable 44-13 lead in the first half and refused to slow down, handing Jason Webb his first victory as a coach.

“To be honest, we had terrible practices Thursday and Friday, then we had a great practice (Saturday) – our best since the preseason. I don’t think we would win the game without that,” said Webb.

“I hope victory like this doesn’t spoil us. We need better practices,” Webb also said. We had good starts on opening day and tonight, but we have to find a way to get better as the games goes on.”

Yap, PJ Simon, Marc Barroca and Marc Pingris provided the biggest lift as Webb nailed a first win following their sorry loss to Rain or Shine on opening day.

“It’s a relief, and I’m also happy for the boys. The first two games were games in a big stage. The first because it’s opening day and this one because it’s the ‘Manila Classico.’ I’m happy we got one,” said Webb.

“We still struggled in the first half just like in the Purefoods (Star) games. It’s good that we’re again able to recover in the second half,” said ROS coach Yeng Guiao on their own win.

“But we can’t keep on doing that and make that a habit. We have to have a good start and a strong finish,” Guiao also said. “We had to wake the guys up at halftime to have the energy in the second half.”

The E-Painters did rise from a slumber in the final half, pounding the Enforcers in the last two quarters largely on fastbreak attacks.

ROS scored 25 points on transition offense in the second half and finished with a franchise record 37 fastbreak points – the most by any team in the league in the last 18 years.

As the E-Painters seemingly played half-heartedly early on, the Enforcers seized the early initiative, leading by 10 at 16-6.

Pacquiao provided added excitement in their first-quarter roll as he knocked his first PBA field-goal basket on an uncontested 12-foot jumper.

The boxing icon drew wild cheers while his supposed defender Chris Tiu got some words from the fiery ROS coach.

“Congressman Manny Pacquiao got his historic first basket. We’re forever posterized,” said Guiao.

“If you leave him open, he can make the shot. It’s about the attitude. Whomever you play, you should play 100 percent,” said Guiao, ruing becoming the first team scored on by the fighting lawmaker from Saranggani.

Last season, Pacquiao saw action in four games, going 0-of-6 from the field. He nailed a charity against Purefoods.

After converting a jumper last night, Pacquiao made two more attempts that he both missed. He played five minutes and 58 seconds, also lacing his stats line with a one assist.