Painters’ local crew foil Express

MANILA, Philippines — With import Wayne Chism again struggling in offense, Rain or Shine turned to the second-best all-Filipino crew of the season to scuttle Air21, 87-82 Monday night and enhance its playoff position in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Elasto Painters took command early in the fourth period while Chism rode the bench, erecting several 13-point leads before holding off the Express when their import returned in the final five minutes to rise to a level 4-4 card.

“Our import really struggled offensively,” Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said of Chism, who was unimpressive for the third time since taking over from Alexander McLean.

But from the way Guiao talked, it seemed like he is not giving up on Chism.

“In practice, he is not this way,” said the outspoken coach. “That’s why he gives us a lot of hope that he can still win enough games for us. I just don’t think that this is the way he plays.”

Chism was scoreless in the first half and finished with just six for the night, though he did have a crucial tap of an intended pass to Air21 import Wesley Witherspoon that led to a free throw by Gabe Norwood which made it 85-80 going into the final 21.9.

The victory kept the Painters out of the dreaded seventh and eighth positions in the quarterfinals, where the Express, who are now at 3-5, will be if the playoffs were to start today.

Rain or Shine, the All-Filipino runner-up, closes the eliminations with its clash against Barangay Ginebra on Easter Sunday with the Gin Kings unveiling a third import for the tournament in the veteran Gabriel Freeman.

Freeman, who will replace Josh Powell, is set to jet in Wednesday morning and will have a few days to get himself in shape.

The scores:

First Game

RAIN OR SHINE 87—Cruz 13, Lee 12, Nuyles 8, Rodriguez 8, Arana 7, Almazan 7, Tiu 7, Norwood 7, Chism 6, Chan 6, Belga 4, Tang 2, Teng 0.

AIR21 82—Witherspoon 23, Taulava 15, Poligrates 13, Anthony 9, Villanueva 9, Yeo 8, Cardona 4, Borboran 1, Ramos 0, Burtscher 0.

Quarters: 18-13, 43-33, 62-55, 87-82