CHICAGO -- Even though he doesn't actively seek it, coach Yeng Guiao couldn't escape the headlines these days even if he tried.
A day after his triumphant Supreme Court victory that paved the way for billions of pesos in funding for Filipino athletes from the PSC via PAGCOR remittances, Guiao returned to his day job and his team sizzled on the basketball court.
In a huge road game at the Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur where the Governors' Cup red carpet was unrolled for crowd-darlings Ginebra, Rain Or Shine survived a 73-64 clunk-fest.
The Elasto Painters shot a horrid 27.9 percent from the field (24-of-86) but proved steadier near the checkered line where they broke a 62-62 tie with an 11-2 finishing kick.
Import Aaron Fuller personified the working class ethos of the Elasto Painters with 23 rebounds along with 16 points, three assists, a steal and a block.
"Low efficiency game for both sides. Ginebra is still coping with losing C-Stan and Pringle. Rookies also making the adjustments. Not surprised since Ginebra usually is a slow starter. They will be better in a week," Guiao told me via text message after the game.
JUSTIN IS BACK
His counterpart, Justin Brownlee, who returned from a 16-month PBA hiatus, had a solid 18 points and 10 boards. But the Kings' resident import didn't weave his usual magic in this conference's debut, hitting just 7-of-21 from the field and 0-for-4 from 4.
Powered by Japeth Aguilar's 20 points and 9 rebounds, the Gins almost pulled another one of those patented comebacks, but missing 68 of 94 shots was too much to overcome.
Newly-minted Rookie of the Year Stephen Holt, who arrived in Ginebra together with Isaac Go from Terrafirma via a head-scratching trade for aging warriors Christian Stanhardinger and Stanley Pringle, had a quiet 13 points and 9 boards.
Typically an assists machine, Holt's 2 dimes suggested a honeymoon period where he is still getting used to both Ginebra's system and his new teammates.
But once he gets going, Ginebra is poised to take off, especially with a lineup that still has Scottie Thompson and Maverick Ahanmisi on it.
Meanwhile, the Elasto Painters are on top of the leaderboard at 2-0. They're on a high, just like their legendary coach and former congressman.
IMPORT CHANGE AT BLACKWATER?
Per a source, import Ricky Ledo wasn't around at Blackwater practice on Friday. It wasn;t clear if he did show up for practice today.
Ledo is coming off a terrible two-game outing where he nailed only 6-of-38 shots for 18 points as Blackwater sunk to the bottom of the Governors' Cup standings at 0-2 alongside -- surprise! surprise!! -- hapless Terrafirma.
Although the former NBA has had the backing of coach Jeff Cariaso there is rising speculation of an import change given that the Bossings Goves' Cup campaign is steadily slipping away.
Things are about to get more challenging for Blackwater as Ginebra and San Miguel are up next in their schedule.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
