RAIN or Shine fields yet another new import when it takes on Blackwater in its last game of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup eliminations on Sunday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The Elasto Painters are set to parade Pierre Henderson-Niles, their fourth reinforcement this conference – the most changes by any team, in their 3 p.m. matchup against the Elite.
The 28-year-old Henderson-Niles, a burly slotman listed at 6’8” who last played in the NBA D-League for the Iowa Energy, tries to help the playoffs-bound E-Painters gain omentum heading in the next round.
“He’s a big guy who seems to have a high basketball IQ,” forward Gabe Norwood said of Henerson-Niles, who replaces wing-thriving Mo Charlo.
Henderson-Niles, 28, is described as a beast inside the shaded lane. The burly player is on the comeback trail after going undrafted in the 2010 NBA draft following a troubled stint with Memphis in the US NCAA under John Calipari.
The player also got involved in play-forpay allegations during his time in college.
E-Painters coach Yeng Guiao earlier said Charlo, who stands a shade below 6’5”, remains a viable option for the Governors’ Cup.
The E-Painters have won back back-to-back games, the latest a 116-94 rout of GlobalPort last Tuesday, and are in a four-way tie in third spot with Alaska, Ginebra, and Tropang TNT.
They face an eliminated Elite side that’s still eager to arrest a four-game skid to improve their 3-7 win-loss record and end their campaign on a high note.
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