RAIN or Shine remained undefeated, while Blackwater is winless no more in the PBA Governors’ Cup after last Friday night's results.
The Elasto Painters bucked a slow start against a Phoenix team that showed up without an import behind the guns of Adrian Nocum and import Aaron Fuller for a 116-99 victory, their fourth straight to stay on top of Group B.
But it was the Bossing who came through with a shocker at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, as they upended Barangay Ginebra, 95-88, in the main game.
Debuting import George King was a revelation for Blackwater, while rookie Sedrick Barefield delivered the biggest basket of the game from the four-point arc that sealed the deal in their first win after losing their three previous ones.
The Gin Kings fell 1-2 in the conference, while the Fuel Masters have yet to enter the winners' circle after three tries.
Here are SPIN.ph’s takeaways in the Friday double-header.
CAN KING CONQUER IT FOR BLACKWATER?
Blackwater paraded the former Phoenix Sun and replacement for Ricky Ledo against Ginebra and quickly made his presence felt. King finished with 33 points and 19 rebounds, and highlighted his league debut by hitting two from the four-point line, while also knocking down a late three-pointer that kept the rallying Gin Kings at bay.
READ: Better late than never as George King proves to fit like a glove with Blackwater
He produced those numbers despite just practicing with the Bossing for just one day after arriving in the country from San Antonio last Wednesday. If and how the 30-year-old King can keep up the strong showing in the succeeding games remains to be seen.
BAREFIELD SLOWLY SETTLING DOWN
The No. 2 overall pick is slowly but surely getting the hang of it, as he knocked down a clutch four-pointer for Blackwater's breakthrough in the conference.
The Fil-Am guard finished with 13 points in a game which he said wasn’t exactly his best shooting night. Veteran guard RK Ilagan then shared that the team calls Barefield ‘The Savior,’ and hopefully, he gets to live up to the billing and help turn things around for the Bossing.
WILL HISTORY REPEAT ITSELF FOR RAIN OR SHINE?
Rain or Shine is off to its finest start since the 2012 Governors’ Cup, the same conference when the Elasto Painters won their first-ever PBA championship. Coach Yeng Guiao may be grinning ear-to-ear at the moment, but also reminded that the conference is still too early for anybody to think ahead.
READ: Guiao warns tougher tests lie ahead for 4-0 Rain or Shine
The veteran mentor pointed out Rain or Shine’s meeting with San Miguel on Sept. 5 to be just the right barometer on whether the Elasto Painters could, indeed, strongly contend for the crown.
KEEP YOUR EYES ON NOCUM
The start of the season is a promising one for the high-flying sophomore who is expected to play a huge role in Rain or Shine’s campaign moving forward.
He proved the point in their win against Phoenix, as he scored 19 points in the second quarter alone to spearhead the Elasto Painters’ comeback from 12 down that tied the contest at the break. The former Mapua stalwart, a member of last season’s All-Rookie Team, finished with 21 points.
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