Rain or Shine settles for Dubai split

Kelangan ng alisin si Norwood
para kay Paul Lee

Well, you can't just go to another country, play in back-to-back games and expect to win them all.

Such is the case for the still maturing Rain or Shine Elasto Painters who settled for a 1-1 even split in their Dubai games as part of the ongoing PBA Commissioner's Cup. They won their first assignment over the hapless Barako Bull Energy, which lost over rated import Dermarr Johnson to a groin injury early in the game, 99-95.

And just when you thought that the young team was building momentum (no excuses to offer since they have a lot of young legs on the roster and coach Yeng Guiao loves to shuffle his guys), they lose to the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings 89-88.

Granted, they could've easily won the game against the Gin Kings had the referees not been ultra sensitive to contact to any of the guys in red, but the blame's still on RoS for not keeping their heads in the game.


First, there's no denying that Duke Crews, no matter how hard working he is, is way out of his league going up against legit 7"0. Yes, Gin Kings' import Chris Alexander fouled out and had trouble staying in front of Crews on defense, but there were several instances wherein Alexander was simply putting the ball into the net with no resistance. RoS' JayR Quinahan should be given a purple heart for trying to put up a fight, but anytime a skilled 7"0 goes up against a quick handed yet slow footed 6"6 power forward, well, that's not going to end up nicely for the shorter dude.

Also, someone needs to call out Gabe Norwood. He is not a point guard. He is indecisive and inconsistent. He is allergic to contact and watching him on the floor for RoS is painful to watch given the level of talent he's with. Paul Lee needs to take his spot at PG and play there exclusively. TY Tang needs to get back healthy and do something. Gabe Norwood needs to go back to small forward and save himself from, well, himself.

We're all in for Norwood's success and all, he seems like a cool, nice fellow, but come on. He blew two  offensive sets in the 4th quarter, and tried to play hero ball in the dying seconds. On a fastbreak, he double pumped the basketball and hung in the air a bit instead of going hard to the rim. It was nice and all, but he was going up against guys standing 6"1 at best and are nowhere near his vertical reach. Dunk the damn ball. If you're going to try and win a game, don't run to the side of the court (yes he was pushed, but refs won't call that in end games, you initiate contact regardless) and throw up a Hail Mary. Paul Lee and Quinahan were right there with him, there was still time, so, well, that in itself shows and proves why Norwood is no PG.

He has game and showtime dribbling skills, but overall, Norwood lacks substance.

And although we've written a lot of man-love worthy entries on Paul Lee, dude needs to start working hard on defense. The added weight has slowed him down from moving laterally, but you just don't go under screens when you're assigned on guys like Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand (who were having a field day drilling in threes).

Hopefully, RoS' makes the necessary adjustments and turn their fortunes around. That, or we're looking at another disappointing run and a drop off from their Philippine Cup performance.