Rain or Shine turns back hapless Star

By Bong Lozada

Rain or Shine got off on the right foot at the start of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup after a 95-86 triumph over the winless Star Saturday night at Philsports Arena.

Star was still in the game midway through the fourth, only trailing 78-75, but the Elasto Painters quickly finished up the canvas and pushed the lead to 89-79 for their first win in their opening game this conference.

Elasto Painters head coach Yeng Guiao said the win wasn’t the best of outings for them but it’s a victory they’ll take nonetheless.

“It’s not as smooth as we wanted it to be,” Guiao said. “First of all Wayne Chism is still struggling, he’s trying to get his game back.”

Rain or Shine had a throng of players who were injured in the Philippine Cup who are still not at a hundred percent for the Commissioner’s Cup.

Jeff Chan is nursing an elbow injury while Jericho Cruz and Raymond Almazan are playing through recent injuries they sustained in the Elasto Painters’ semifinal series against All-Filipino champions San Miguel.

Paul Lee is also nursing his injured knee.

“We’re still a bit antsy, we didn’t get enough rest in the offseason, wala na rin mangyayari na di nakapagpahinga. We’ll live with what we have,” Guiao said.

Despite a nagging elbow injury, Chan fired 17 points, all but two coming off threes, for the Painters who had five other players finish in double digits.

Cruz and Chism had 13 points apiece with the import adding eight boards to his line, while big man Beau Belga added a dozen points.

JR Quiñahan and Maverick Ahanmisi each had 10 points for Rain or Shine.

Denzel Bowles was a one-man show for the Hotshots as he finished with 39 points to go along 18 boards.

Allein Maliksi added 10 points for the 0-2 Star.

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