Gilas players struggle but Elastro Painters still win

Games today

Araneta Coliseum

6:30 p.m.- Petron vs. Barangay Ginebra

4:15 p.m.- Barako Bull vs. Meralco

SMART Gilas Pilipinas players started playing for their mother teams but struggled in yesterday’s  first game of the 38th PBA Governors’ Cup between Rain or Shina and Globalport at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Rain or Shine’s Jeff Chan and Gabe Norwood, who played vital roles in the national team’s silver-medal finish in the recent Fiba Asia Championship, struggled to score points but the defending champions Elasto Painters still emerged with an easy 94-74 win over the Globalport Batang Pier.

The win was the second straight for Rain or Shine as the Elasto Painters were coming off a 79-75 conquest of the San Mig Coffee Mixers last Wednesday.

Chan, the lefty gunner who hit big shots for the Gilas, scored just four points, while Norwood, the defensive specialist for the national squad, was held scoreless.

Taking charge for the Painters were Arizona Reid and Ryan Araña, who scored 27 and 21 points, respectively. Reid also had 17 rebounds. Paul Lee contributed 17 markers for Rain or Shine, which broke away in the third quarter.

Araña unloaded 14 of his total output in the final half where he teamed up with Reid in breaking the game wide open.

Globalport import Markeith Cummings fired 27 points, 10 points below of his output in the team’s 101-94 win over the Air21 Express in the opening day.

Fellow national team member Gary David also had his first game back with the Batang Pier but only managed three points.

Just like Norwood and Chan, David was also given a break after their stints with the Gilas Pilipinas.

In the main game, the Express bounced back from their loss to Globalport after they downed the reeling San Mig Coffee Mixers, 93-82.

Zach Graham led the Express (1-1) with 38 points, while Marqus Blakely fired 37 for the Coffee Mixers, who stayed winless after two games.

BOX SCORES

RAIN OR SHINE (94)- Reid 27, Arana 21, Lee 15, Belga 6, Quinahan 6, Matias 5, Rodriguez 5, Chan 4, Ibanes 3, Cruz 2, Tiu 0, Norwood 0, Tang 0.

GLOBALPORT (74)- Cummings 23, Mercado 13, Miller 8, Yee 7, Belencion 6, Washington 5, Hayes 4, Nabong 4, David 3, Buensuceso 1, Lingganay 0, Alonzo 0, Salvador 0.QUARTERSCORES: 21-23; 41-33; 71-58; 94-74./EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA