RIGHTING THE SHIP
RAIN or Shine did not get off to the kind of start it wanted in the PLDT myDSL PBA Commissioner’s Cup and Alaska’s title-retention bid has been far from smooth sailing.
The Elasto Painters and Aces find out which between them stays on the rock-strewn route when they collide Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Gametime is at 3:30 p.m.
Sparks are expected to fly in the game that has Rain or Shine trying to move on from a numbing 106-110 loss to Barako Bull last Sunday, when the Philippine Cup runner-up blew an early 16-point lead en route to the disappointing conference debut.
Alaska’s emotion should also run high since it is still hurting from a 76-85 loss to Meralco just last Wednesday, its second loss in three games.
Which team has made the necessary adjustments, especially on defending the perimeter, should be the key.
Alaska got stymied by Bolts import Brian Butch booming in six triples and by the hard-nosed defense employed on Aces reinforcement Rob Dozier, limiting the latter to just 17 points and 14 rebounds.
Its failure to defend both the perimeter and the inside forays of Barako import Josh Dollard did Rain or Shine in as Mick Pennisi, Willie Miller and Ronjay Buenafe each connected thrice from deep while Dollard wound up with 44 points, including 17 in the decisive fourth period.
And while Dozier is expected to come out with the kind of game that made him last year’s Best Import, a big question mark is attached on E-Painter counterpart Alexander McLean.
McLean debuted with team-highs of 21 points and 16 rebounds, but he failed to come up with the energy that should have rubbed off on his teammates and was deemed as soft, easily boxed out or pushed outside of the shaded area.
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao admitted it was the first real game his team has had with McLean and the experience of playing together should see a drastic improvement in his performance.
It is not just McLean, however, as only Paul Lee, Jeff Chan, Gabe Norwood and newly-activated Jonathan Uyloan finished in double digits with Ryan Arana, Larry Rodriguez and Jervy Cruz combining for a total of only 10 points.
JR Quinahan, who missed the E-Painters’ first game due to a hurting knee, is expected to suit up but remains day-to-day.
For Alaska, the likes of RJ Jazul, Gabby Espinas and Calvin Abueva, if the latter could stay out of foul trouble, should not rely solely on Jayvee Casio, Cyrus Baguio and Sonny Thoss in providing support to Dozier. (NC)
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