With a big break on the early exit of Barako Bull import Dermarr Johnson due to an injury, Rain or Shine finally nailed a victory in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, overcoming the gritty stand of the Barako locals, 99-95, at the Al-Shabab Sports Club in Dubai Thursday night.
The frontline tandem of Duke Crews and Beau Belga combined for 47 points with Jeff Chan, Ronjay Buenafe and Paul Lee providing significant help at the finish as the Elasto Painters held off the Energy in the first of the two-game PBA series in Dubai.
Chan, Buenafe and Lee drained clutch shots, helping the Elasto Painters notch a first win in three starts in the mid-season tournament.
“Malaking break para sa amin nawala yong import nila and that’s really the story of the game,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
Johnson was helped to the bench and never returned again after suffering a groin injury just seven minutes into the game.
Barako Bull managed to keep the game close but eventually felt the ouster of Johnson at the finish, tumbling down to a third loss against a lone win.
The Elasto Painters and the Kings closed out the Dubai series last night. Results were not available at press time.
The Energy drew tremendous efforts from Willie Miller, Jondan Salvador, Ronald Tubid and Wynne Arboleda as they engaged the Elasto Painters in a battle marred by couples of technical fouls.
“Bad break talaga,” said Barako coach Junel Baculi about the injury suffered by his import.
PBA AT HOOPS DOME
ON MARCH 24
Meanwhile, Lapu-Lapu City will host another out-of-town PBA game on March 24, pitting the Painters and the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters at the Hoops Dome.
Last year, the city also hosted a bearing PBA game featuring the Alaska Aces and the Petron Blaze Boosters. /with pba.ph