Elasto Painters get going
MANILA, Philippines — With a more-adjusted Tree Treadwell and a healthier Keith Datu in the fold, things are beginning to look rosy for Rain or Shine.
Treadwell, on his third game since replacing DaJuan Summers, and Datu, returning from a five-game absence, anchored a fourth-quarter barrage to lead ROS past NLEX, 113-101, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup yesterday at the PhilSports Arena.
Treadwell and Datu combined for 16 as the Elasto Painters outdueled the Road Warriors towards the finish, 29-17, to set the tone for back-to-back wins after a 0-5 start.
“I’m taking everything day by day. Coach (Yeng Guiao) told me to be aggressive and I don’t think I was in the first two games as I was still trying to feel the team more than anything,” said Treadwell, who posted his PBA highs of 23 points and 18 rebounds plus four assists and two blocks.
“It was a team effort to kind of give me the ball and I just tried to capitalize when I got it, score and be efficient,” he added.
A month after debuting with 16 then sitting out the succeeding matches due to pneumonia, rookie big Datu fired 11 highlighted by three pivotal three-pointers in the fourth that greased ROS’ breakaway. He also had five rebounds and four blocks.
“Iba rin ‘yung meron kang weapon like Keith. He’s a big who can step out and shoot threes, post up and help out in playing defense against their (NLEX’) bigs. That’s what we missed in the last five games,” said Guiao.
“We were expecting him to play in our last games but for some reason or another, on game day, he had something (illness). For today, that changed in a big way. We’re hoping it continues,” he added.
In his best game this season, Rey Nambatac shot 12, making eight of them in the final canto. Beau Belga, back after missing the previous game, fired 14.
The win kept ROS’ playoffs drive running while catching up with NLEX (2-5), which reeled to its third straight loss.
“We’re blending even better with Tree now. We understand how he can complement the locals and how the locals can complement him. So we should be getting better, which is good as we try to keep ourselves in the conference,” said Guiao.
