E-Painters unfazed by health woes: Chism to lead injury-hit ROS

MANILA, Philippines - Rain or Shine, beset by injuries in the first conference, will still have to endure health woes to key players at least in the first two weeks of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup firing off tomorrow at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Paul Lee, still recuperating from a knee injury, and Jeff Chan, nursing an injury to his elbow, won’t be ready to play until March.

The recovery of Raymond Almazan and Jericho Cruz from their own health problems, and import Wayne Chism coming back in his old competitive form provide the Elasto Painters some relief.

“Chism is okay. He arrived early and he came in game shape. He didn’t gain weight. He’s really like his old self,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao of their returning reinforcement, winner of the Best Import award in the previous Commissioner’s Cup.

In Chism’s second tour of duty with the E-Painters, the team fought Talk n Text to a deciding Game Seven in the finals before settling for runner-up honors.

It was an epic battle where the Tropang Texters needed two overtime plays to edge the E-Painters, 121-119, for the crown.

A perennial title contender, Rain or Shine, however, will have a job cut out for them at the start of the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup minus their two leading gunners, both hopefuls for the national team competing in the Olympic Qualifying Tourney that the country will host in July.

Chan was ROS’s leading scorer in the last Philippine Cup with 13.16 points a game. He also churned out averages of 3.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists.

With a knee injury, Lee missed the Philippine Cup elims and plunged into action only in the semifinals where he hurt his knee once again.

The six-foot guard was able to play only five games in the semis, missing Game Six where they were eliminated by the eventual champs San Miguel Beermen. Also out in that game was Almazan.

In those five games, Lee averaged 10.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists. 

“This team is designed for the other players to step up when somebody gets injured,” said Guiao, confident they can compete even minus one or two key players.

The E-Painters have been so very competitive and consistent, distinguishing themselves as the only team to make the Final Four of each of the last eight conferences.

Rain or Shine is tipped to sustain its consistency in the coming Commissioner’s Cup especially with Chism back.

Through his first two tenures as ROS import, the former Tennessee U standout averaged 24.7 points, 14.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.9 blocks.