Painters pin 7th loss on weary Batang Pier

Rain or Shine import Wayne Chism drives off Jondan Salvador of Globalport (right) in Monday’s game at the Big Dome. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

MANILA, Philippines — Solid on both ends even with an import that was just feeling his way through, Rain or Shine ripped Globalport, 99-75, last night to stay in the upper half of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup standings at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Although Wayne Chism got saddled with fouls early, the Elasto Painters still proved too much for the Batang Pier to handle as Rain or Shine rose to a level 3-3 card to enhance its playoff chances.

The loss was the seventh straight for the Batang Pier, who still couldn’t get their formidable local crew to come up with spirited support to their hardworking import, Evan Brock.

“It’s a good way to break in our import,” Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said.

“We had some scary moments when he picked up two quick fouls and we had to sit him down. “But the locals responded. They know that our import can take care of himself.”

Paul Lee led the torrid local assault for the Painters, shooting 11 of his 21 points in the first quarter to jumpstart their offense before hitting timely threes in the final two periods that helped keep Globalport at bay.

Chism, originally an import for Barako Bull, finished with 17 points, 16 rebounds, five assists and two blocks in a 30-minute debut that certainly spoke well of the talent the former Tennessee standout in the US NCAA had.

“He learns fast and it is just a matter of learning how the game is played here,” Guiao, who has brought in some of the league’s greatest imports of all time, said.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that he will get better. “Malaking epekto (It’s a big factor) if you have the right type of import,” Guiao continued. “He still has a lot to show.”

Rain or Shine climbed to a fourth place tie with idle Meralco and Air21 and Guiao said that with three games left, the Painters would need at least two wins to have a shot at making the playoffs in the middle of the standings.

Talk ‘N Text, which remained unbeaten after an 81-75 win over San Mig Coffee in the second game, Air21 and Barangay Ginebra are Rain or Shine’s last three foes, in that order.

Brock led the Batang Pier with 25 points and 13 rebounds with Jay Washington contributing 14 and Ronnie Matias coming off the bench to shoot 10.

But the other usual heavy contributors like Alex Cabagnot and rookie Terrence Romeo could only combine for eight.

The scores:

RAIN OR SHINE 99—Lee 21, Chism 17, Almazan 13, Tiu 10, Belga 9, Norwood 9, Arana 6, Cruz 4, Uyloan 2, Chan 2, Nuyles 2, Ibanes 2, Rodriguez 2, Tang 0, Teng 0. 

GLOBALPORT 75—Brock 25, Washington 14, Matias 10, Cabagnot 7, Garcia 6, Chua 4, Salva 4, Sharma 4, Romeo 1, Yee 0, Ponferrada 0, Salvador 0, Macapagal 0. Quarters: 29-26, 51-38, 75-62, 99-75