AZ COMES THROUGH
“It’s just one of those days when whatever you do is right and everything the opponent does is wrong.”
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao could only utter those words moments after his squad dealt Alaska a 51-point mauling, 123-72, at the PhilSports Arena on Wednesday in the 2014 PLDT Home Telpad PBA Governors’ Cup.
It was the fourth-most lopsided beating in PBA history, and the biggest margin of victory in 28 years, or since Shell annihilated Tanduay, 154-100, on November 16, 1986. Likewise, it’s the franchise’s biggest win, and the worst defeat for Alaska in their existence in the PBA.
And a big reason for that is their import Arizona Reid.
The dreadlocked reinforcement broke the E-Painters’ franchise record in scoring as his 48 points eclipsed the former record of 45 points held by Sol Mercado, who recorded the feat in the 2010 Fiesta Conference.
Reid also recorded the highest scoring output this season, and the most since Meralco’s Eric Dawson had 50 points last year in an overtime win against Rain or Shine.
The 6-foot-5 forward had an efficient night from the field, shooting 5-of-8 from threes, 13-of-18 from twos, and 7-of-9 from the charity stripe, to go along with 10 rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
“It’s just one of those nights,” Reid said. “I shot well and it came at the right time. Tonight, we found our stroke and everybody shot well and it started with our defense. Coach Yeng reminded us about our defense and thankfully, our shots went in.”
The former High Point Panther also credited the trust given to him by his coach, saying, “Through the first five games, I’ve been struggling offensively, but I didn’t get discouraged cause coach Yeng believed in me and he knows what I can do.”
“Whenever I feel like my confidence is going down, I’m just working on my shots. I just try to get everybody involved, play hard, and do what I do. I appreciate my teammates passing me the ball. Without the ball, it’s not gonna happen tonight.”
Reid also said that the scoring record doesn’t really matter to him, “the win does,” he said.
“I can have two points and have the win, I don’t care. It’s all about team,” said the 2011 Governors’ Cup Best Import. “Yes, I have 48, but I’m not here to score 48. I’m here to get a win. As long as I win, I’m happy. If we lost tonight and I had 48, I’ll be disappointed.”
Though it’s a big confidence boost to come out from a big win like this, Reid said that it’s just one game, and their goal is to make it to the finish line by taking their assignments game-by-game.
“You just got to look at it one game at a time. We just got to be ready for Ginebra on Sunday.” (RL)
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