MANILA, Philippines — A new-look Rain or Shine side kicked off its 2015 Bahrain-Philippines Goodwill Games campaign with much aplomb as it waylaid local club Nuwaidrat, 98-47 on Thursday at the Zain Arena in Um Al Hassam, Bahrain.
Wide-bodied big man Beau Belga led the Elasto Painters’ second overseas campaign in the offseason after banging in 19 points while rookie Fil-Nigerian Maverick Ahanmishi added 17.
New boy Jewel Ponferada, whom the team acquired from GlobalPort in exchange for Jervy Cruz, added 14, while veteran gunner Jeff Chan scored 12.
Belga said more than just winning in the Goodwill Games, coach Yeng Guiao stressed the importance of establishing team chemistry and conditioning since the PBA’s 41st season is less than three weeks away.
“Sinasabi ni coach, yung gusto niyang ma-achieve namin eh yung conditioning namin saka samahan sa team since may ilang mga bago din kami,” the 6-foot-5 Belga said when contacted by Philstar.com.
Chan added that with Ahanmishi still adjusting to the PBA style of play, they will try to use the Bahrain games as an opportunity to bond.
“I think more on getting to now ang kailangan pa namin mag-jell since three to four players ang bago sa team,” explained the left-handed Chan.
“Coach wants us to be mentally and physically ready, lalo na ngayon ibang time and weather.”
Rain or Shine is set to see action on Friday night against Bahrain national team, which is expected to be attended by Overseas Filipino Workers.