‘Prodigal’ Almazan returns

Unbeaten Rain or Shine puts its clean slate on the line when it clashes with Blackwater in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup tonight at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

Action kicks off at 7 p.m. with the Elasto Painters gunning for their third consecutive win that can tie them with leader Phoenix Pulse.

Also gunning for a third straight win is rampaging Talk ‘N Text, which will clash with sister team Meralco in the first game at 4:30 p.m.

The Elasto Painters are coming off a huge 83-80 win over top contender Ginebra over the weekend in Calasiao town in Pangasinan, making them the favored side against the rebuilding Elite.

Adding ceiling and depth for the Elasto Painters is the return of big man Raymund Almazan, who was sidelined in their first two matches due to sprained ankle.

The 6-foot-8 Almazan already trained with Rain or Shine as well as with the national squad that will see action in the sixth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers next month.

But more than that, it will be Almazan’s first official game since going AWOL (absence without leave) in the season-ending Governor’s Cup last October.

With Almazan being tagged as “missing-in-action,” the Elasto Painters absorbed a string of misfortunes, prompting the management to dangle a heavy sanction for his behavior.

Fortunately for Rain or Shine, sanity prevailed and Almazan, dubbed by media as the “prodigal son,” buried the hatchet with Rain or Shine owners Raymund Yu and Terry Que as well as head coach Caloy Garcia.

“Let’s have a fresh start. Let’s forget everything that happened,” said Almazan’s agent, Danny Espiritu, adding that his ward went missing to face a personal issue.

With Almazan finally around, mainstays Beau Belga, Gabe Norwood, James Yap, Mav Ahanmisi and Norbert Torres as well as rookies Javee Mocon and Jayjay Alejandro are all tipped to play an inspired game to help the Elasto Painters stretch their steak.

But their bid will be easier said than done as they collide with the hungry Elite.

After starting the conference with a couple of setbacks, the Elite tapped Crispa legend William “Bogs” Adornado as shooting coach.

The signing of Adornado, a member of PBA’s 25 Greatest Players, came at the heels of the signing of former Ginebra slotman Rommel Adducul as big man coach.

With the Elite having an 11-day break, head coach Bong Ramos hopes the winning touch of Adornado and Adducul would rub into his young wards, who are all eager to post their first victory.

Mike DiGregorio, Allein Maliksi, Roi Sumang and Mac Belo together with big men James Sena and Chris Javier are all expected to step up while rookies Paul Desiderio and Abu Tratter are tipped to work doubly hard to lead the Elite to the winning track.