SOMETIMES, one win is all it takes to get your championship swagger back.
Josh Dollard believes Rain or Shine has regained its mojo after hammering Star, 108-97, in their final game of the elimination round on Friday night that enabled them to stay alive in the race for the PBA Governors’ Cup playoffs.
The returning import showed the way with 27 points and 14 boards as the Elasto Painters, the reigning Commissioner’s Cup champions, snapped a two-game losing streak to set up a playoff with Phoenix for the last postseason spot.
“I’m really confident now,” Dollard said. “This is a championship-caliber organization, so when you’re playing with champions, it’s easy. These guys know what it’s all about.”
[See Paul Lee comes good for RoS in game that mattered most]
Knowing how to overcome tremendous adversity is what the E-Painters have to do as they face three more do-or-die games to get to the semifinals for a 10th straight conference.
“These guys have been to twelve straight conference playoffs with two championships, so how can’t you be confident with this group of guys?” Dollard said. “I lean on these guys for their support and their experience, going through the rest of the way.”
Dollard jelled with his teammates better after a debut that saw him register 18 points, nine boards, six assists, one block, and one steal against six turnovers in 35 minutes off the bench in their loss to San Miguel Beer.
“Even within a week’s time, playing with these guys, they’ve been doing a great job of getting me in the mix, helping me out picking my spots, keeping me encouraged,” said the team’s fourth import this conference. “It’s important for me.”
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