Painters toughen up to derail Gin Kings freight train

Game Saturday (MOA Arena)

7 p.m. – Ginebra vs Rain or Shine

MANILA, Philippines – Rain or Shine has broken the momentum of Barangay Ginebra’s searing eight-game run and enjoys the psychological edge back on its side as the two teams break their one-game all standoff in their PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-five semifinal playoff at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Saturday night.

The Elasto Painters recalled the resilience and toughness that made them the playoffs top seed as they stopped the Gin Kings, 109-100, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“Against Ginebra, we really have to be tough and we have to keep the game close for us to have a chance to beat them in the end,” said ROS center/forward Beau Belga ahead of Game Three set at 7 p.m.

The E-Painters rallied from an early 14-point deficit then fought the Kings in a fierce battle before beating them on a 12-0 windup highlighted by big three-pointers by James Yap and Reggie Johnson.

Justin Brownlee and his Ginebra teammates dominated the E-Painters in their 102-89 victory in the series opener. 

“In Game One, I felt we played their game. After that I told the guys we’re in the semis and we have to come out, play with heart and show our desire. We can’t win by just trying to keep up with them,” said ROS coach Caloy Garcia.

“I told them you must show that we want to win. They did; they played with their hearts out,” Garcia added.

The E-Painters have tilted the momentum on their side and may continue to win the battle at the paint should Japeth Aguilar remain indisposed for Ginebra.

The athletic 6-foot-9 center/forward sat out the first two games of the series due to a swelling in his Achilles tendon area — an injury suffered in their quarterfinals matchup with the Meralco Bolts.

Johnson imposed his inside presence in their Game Two win, coming through with a near triple-double game with 25 points, 20 rebounds and eight assists.

ROS outrebounded Ginebra, 50-46, and the E-Painters scored 44 points inside the paint, 14 more than the Kings did.

Then the ROS shooters also found their mark.

After struggling with a 9-of-38 clip from beyond the arc the last time out, the E-Painters made a big improvement in this game, connecting with 15-of-37 three-pointers.

Johnson, Yap and Chris Tiu knocked in three treys each, Rey Nambatac drained two in a short stint in the second half while Gabe Norwood, Ed Daquiaog and Belga chipped in one each.   

The bottom line is that they have to be aggressive, according to the ROS coach.