INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines—Rookie-laden Rain or Shine saw pretty much what to expect in the new Philippine Basketball Association season against the Air21 Express – bullying, extremely rough play and versatile players.

Through it all, the Elastopainters kept their composure, showing the league a stylish, free-wheeling type of basketball anchored on their talented rookies in a 120-102 demolition of the Express Sunday night at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

With all the hype centered on top draft pick Gabe Norwood, Solomon Mercado made the most out of the little attention given him by unleashing 29 points and seven rebounds in a sensational KFC-PBA Philippine Cup debut.

The 5-foot-11 Mercado mocked defenders thrown at him to bury eight of 13 field goals, including five triples, and went 8-of-10 from the stripe on his way to posting the highest output by a rookie since Asi Taulava scored 32 in his debut against Tanduay in 1999.

In the second game, Alaska came back from as many as 19 down in the first half and turned back powerhouse San Miguel, 85-84.

3 Express ejected

The Express, runners-up behind Barangay Ginebra in the recent Fiesta Cup, lost three key players who were ejected for extreme physical play.

Homer Se, known for his rugged game, planted an elbow on Mark Andaya's face and was ejected in the second quarter.

Wynne Arboleda fouled Norwood hard in what looked like a clothesline tackle in the third period. It was his second technical of the match, the first coming a quarter earlier for second motion – also against Norwood. Arwind Santos also went to the showers after elbowing Mercado in the fourth.

The scores

First Game

RAIN OR SHINE 120-Mercado 29, Laure 20, Arana 17, Reyes 17, Wainright 10, Tang 7, Norwood 6, Ibanes 5, Andaya 3, Dulay 2, Isip 2, Salangsang 2.

AIR21 102-De Ocampo 20, Kramer 16, Intal 15, Se 10, Santos 9, Quinahan 8, Cruz 7, David 5, Billiones 4, Canaleta 3, Villanueva 2, Arboleda 1.

Quarters: 24-31, 61-53, 89-75, 120-102

Second Game

ALASKA 85-Miller 17, De La Cruz 15, Fonacier 12, Ferriols 12, Hugnatan 11, Tenorio 7, Cariaso 7, Devance 2, Thoss 2.

SAN MIGUEL 84-Custodio 14, Pena 13, Honetiveros 11, Villanueva 10, Seigle 9, Cortez 8, Gonsalez 7, Pingris 4, Washington 3, Pennisi 3, Bono 2, Racela 0.

Quarters: 16-31, 39-48, 59-63, 85-84