Guiao gives props to Johnson for asserting might in Painters' Game 1 win vs Gin Kings

MANILA, Philippines -- In a battle of offensively explosive, do-it-all imports, it was Jaylen Johnson who stood tall.

Johnson and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters drew first blood against Justin Brownlee and Barangay Ginebra, 115-111, in Game 1 of their PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals. 

There, Johnson finished with 40 points, hauled down 18 rebounds, dished out three assists, and stole the ball twice in the win. 

“He stepped up to the moment, si JJ. To be able to stand up and be able to go toe to toe with Justin Brownlee is already a big achievement,” Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao said after the game.

“Tapos tinalo pa namin. Nakakabilib lang na he’s that kind of a player.” 

Brownlee, on the other hand, powered the Gin Kings with 32 points, to go with five assists, five rebounds, two steals and two blocks. RJ Abarrientos followed suit with 21 markers, while Scottie Thompson had 17. 

After scoring 19 points in the first half, where the Elasto Painters trailed by seven, 42-49, the 29-year-old, 6-foot-9 center scored 21 in the second half. 

Ginebra led by 10, 84-74, in the final 10 minutes and 51 seconds of the game, and from that point, Johnson scored 15 to tow Rain or Shine to the victory. 

Still, he had plenty of help from his teammates, especially Adrian Nocum, Gian Mamuyac, Mike Malonzo and Jhonard Clarito. 

“I’m really proud of the guys because ang [plan] lang namin is to show up and compete. To play a team like Ginebra, GOAT import, GOAT coach, half of the Gilas team, the probable best player of the conference in their team. So, sino ba kami? Lumaban lang tayo,” Guiao stressed.

“Tingnan natin hanggang saan tayo. At least na ilusot namin yung Game 1. Naka isang tsamba. Tingnan natin ilang tsamba ang kaya namin. Tingnan natin,” he added. 

“Ito yung mga pinabili lang ng suka nakarating dito sa semis. So, tingnan natin. But, a lot of respect to the Ginebra team. We just fought hard.” 

Rain or Shine had to play without designated import stopper Caelan Tiongson, who had a stomachache. 

“It's encouraging to win game one against a tough team like Ginebra. Nakaka-boost ng morale yun. Pero ang haba ng series. Seven game series. They're very talented. They're very experienced in a situation like this. Kami, show up, lumaban ka lang. Kung ano yung kaya mong ibigay, ibigay mo lang.” 

Clarito produced 25 markers, to go with six boards, two dimes, two steals and a block. 

Mamuyac backstopped with 18 points and five assists in the win. 

Rain or Shine will try to take a 2-0 series lead on Friday, 5:15 p.m., at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.