Mike Malonzo produced a double-double for Rain or Shine as it gained the solo lead against erstwhile fellow pacesetter Converge in their PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup match.
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao spoke at length about effort in surviving erstwhile co-pacesetter Converge, 90-84, as it claimed the solo lead in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Sunday, Dec. 7.
During that same press conference after the match at the Ynares Sports Center in Montalban, Guiao only mentioned one player from his team.
“Special mention kay Mike Malonzo. Malaki ang naitulong niya,” said Guiao.
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Malonzo came up big with 10 points, including seven in the fourth period, where the Elasto Painters pounced on the Justin Arana-less FiberXers.
Arana missed the game because of an ankle injury he sustained in the FiberXers match against Magnolia two days ago.
Malonzo also had 10 rebounds in a double-double showing he topped with two assists and a steal.
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“Effort and scoring at the right time. We’re able to play small because he played really big today. All-around effort,” Guiao added about his ward.
Overall, Guiao was proud of his team's relentless effort on a night they were misfiring from the perimeter and the free throw line.
Because of that, RoS now stands alone at the summit with a 7-2 record.
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But the Elasto Painters are far from satisfied as they wrap up their elimination round campaign with a pair of big games in Bahrain.
They will square off against Magnolia and Ginebra on Dec. 15 and 17, respectively, at the Khalifa Sports City Stadium.
“We can’t let the momentum die out. Kung ano 'yong puwede naming ipanalo, ipapanalo naming lalo't papunta kaming Bahrain. We want to give a good show [there],” said the fiery mentor.
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.