RAIN OR SHINE and Alaska won in contrasting fashion on Friday as the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) opened Season 46 with the Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Pasig City.
Rain or Shine escaped past stubborn NLEX, 83-82, and Alaska was the better prepared team over Blackwater, 103-77, in the first two of the scheduled triple-header that marked the PBA’s return since December 9, 2020—when Ginebra beat TNT, 82-78, to win the bubble Season 45 in Clark.
The PBA went into a forced lull after that because of the unpredictable surge of Covid-19 infection.
And reminiscent of Gregorio “Joy” Dionisio making the league’s first basket in the PBA’s inaugural game 46 years ago, it was Blackwater’s Kelly Nabong who simulated that historic role this time.
Dionisio made that first basket before 18,000 fans during the Mariwasa-Noritake vs Concepcion Carrier game at the Araneta Coliseum. As for Nabong, he could only split his free throws off Abu Tratter’s foul already a minute and 42 seconds into the game that was played without fans.
The Aces banked on Mike DiGregorio’s second-half outburst to score the rout over the Bossing. DiGregorio nailed 17 of his 20 points on an 8-of-12 shooting in the last two quarters, while free-agent signee Yousef Taha added 16 points and seven rebounds and Tratter contributed 13 points in Alaska’s rousing debut.
“To be honest, I couldn’t sleep last night because of the uncertainty of how we are going to look today,” Alaska Coach Jeffrey Cariaso said. “It’s hard to gauge your team [without a tune-up game] and all the coaches feel this way.”
The Bossing lost their bearing in the second half after being outscored in the third (18-32) and fourth (20-32) quarter.
Simon Enciso led Blackwater with 23 points, but scored only four points in the second half. His 19 points in the first half included five triples the last of which forced a 39-all count at the half.
The Elasto Painters, on the other hand, rode main gunner Rey Nambatac’s game-long brilliance to stop the Road Warriors on their tracks.
Nambatac exploded for 19 points and eight rebounds, and veteran Beau Belga also had an all-around performance of 17 points, seven rebounds and five assists for Rain or Shine. Javee Mocon had 12 points, six rebounds and four assists.
Rain or Shine led, 83-79, with 26 seconds remaining but Jay-R Quiñahan forced a jump ball with Gabe Norwood. The Road Warriors grabbed possession and Kiefer Ravena nailed a long three-pointer for an 83-82 count with 19 seconds left.
Norwood turned the ball over with 10 seconds to go but Tony Semerad couldn’t finish Ravena’s assist.
“I lost a couple seconds of my life when Gabe [Norwood] turned that ball over,” comebacking PBA Coach Chris Gavina of Rain or Shibne said. “But the guys didn’t give up on defense. We’re hoping that we’ll carry the momentum to the next game.”
Ravena led NLEX with 23 points, seven assists, four rebounds and three steals.
The season kicked off without the usual festive atmosphere with PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial and the 12 governors leading the made-for-TV opening ceremony.