Painters stop bleeding

Finally, we were able to, at least, break the losing streak and still have a chance for the top eight.

KWAME Alexander's monstrous rebounding powers Rain or Shine past Blackwater.

Rain or Shine snapped its four-game losing streak as it took down Blackwater, 99-82, in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup last night at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

Kwame Alexander had a solid debut for the Elasto Painters with 17 points and 16 rebounds to improve their win-loss record to 2-5.

Rey Nambatac added 18 points, seven rebounds and seven assists while Beau Belga and Ed Daquioag netted 17 and 13 markers, respectively, for Rain or Shine.

“Finally, we were able to at least break the losing streak and still have a chance for the top eight. We know it’s going to be hard. But the game against Blackwater, we were lucky at the end that we hit our shots and most of them were lucky shots,” Elasto Painters head coach Caloy Garcia said.

“We had to find ways to stop Parks. He played like an import. The new import that we have gave us what we need, that is rebound, rebound, rebound. I hope we can continue this in our next game,” he added.

Rain or Shine controlled the game early and took a 49-40 halftime lead.

The Elasto Painters were still at the driver seat at 84-76 with 5:41 remaining when Elite import Marqus Blakely anchored a personal 5-0 run to cut the lead to 81-84 with 3:37 remaining in the game.

But Rain or Shine showed composure down the stretch and responded with its own 10-0 blast to push its lead back to 94-81 with 1:45 left in the game.

Nambtac sealed the victory with a mid-range jumper, 96-82, 1:09 left to clinch the much-needed victory.

“I guess we’re lucky when we have long-haired import. Last conference we got Carl (Montgomery) and then we started playing well,” Garcia said referring to their previous reinforcement.

“Hopefully in our next few games, he (Alexander) can give us the same fate. I just told my players not to get pressured and just play their game. Hopefully, he can give us the fire that we need in our next games,” he added.

Garcia was satisfied with the performance of Alexander, who replaced the ineffective Kayel Locke.

“I know he can show more. The only problem on him is his conditioning. It’s going to be hard for him because we’re playing back-to-back. Maybe tomorrow we’ll rest him (in practice),” Garcia said.

Blackwater absorbed its second straight loss to drop to 2-5.

Parks finished with a game-high 27 points and 11 rebounds but was held scoreless in the final quarter.

Blakely added 21 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and four steals for the Elite of coach Aries Dimaunahan.