QUEZON CITY—In yet another emotional matchup between Rain or Shine and its longtime mentor and even its former import, James Yap stole the show.
The streaky scorer had his best game as an Elasto Painter to lead the squad to a 113-105 win over NLEX in the main game of Day 1 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday night.
Yap tallied 26 points, something he usually does during his heyday with Star during the late 2000's and early 10's, to help the E-Painters defeat the Road Warriors, who kept the game tight in the fourth quarter this time.
After giving up 36 points on ROS in the second quarter, NLEX outscored its opponent, 29-18, in the third to go up, 81-80.
Although the E-Painters had some control, the game remained tight for most of the fourth, and the Road Warriors even reclaimed the lead, 103-102, with 2:15 left.
But a bank shot by Gabe Norwood from three-point range sparked the game-deciding 11-0 run capped by a step-back triple from Yap and another trey from Beau Belga to put ROS up for good.
Yap also contributed three rebounds, one assist, and one steal in the win even as Shawn Taggart made 23 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, four blocks, and four steals.
Raymond Almazan, despite having to train with Gilas for three straight days in Tagaytay, still chipped in 18 points with three rebounds, two assists, and one block for the E-Painters.
In his first game against his former team, Wayne Chism had a 20-20 of 27 points and 21 boards with three assists and two blocks for NLEX.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
Although the E-Painters had some control, the game remained tight for most of the fourth, and the Road Warriors even reclaimed the lead, 103-102, with 2:15 left.
But a bank shot by Gabe Norwood from three-point range sparked the game-deciding 11-0 run capped by a step-back triple from Yap and another trey from Beau Belga to put ROS up for good.
Yap also contributed three rebounds, one assist, and one steal in the win even as Shawn Taggart made 23 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, four blocks, and four steals.
Raymond Almazan, despite having to train with Gilas for three straight days in Tagaytay, still chipped in 18 points with three rebounds, two assists, and one block for the E-Painters.
In his first game against his former team, Wayne Chism had a 20-20 of 27 points and 21 boards with three assists and two blocks for NLEX.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
.JPG)
.jpg)
