By REYNALD MAGALLON
All the anticipation to the big names making their return and debut for Ginebra and yet one newcomer took all the spotlight and stole the show for Rain or Shine.
Rookie Felix Lemetti provided the spark in the final frame as the Elasto Painters pulled off a 73-64 victory over the Kings to seize the early lead in the Group B standings in the first out-of-town game of the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup at the Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur on Saturday, Aug. 24.
The Fil-Swedish rookie, unheralded heading into the draft but nevertheless impressed head coach Yeng Guiao enough to be picked eighth overall, introduced himself and presided over a back-breaking 20-3 finishing kick to help Rain or Shine pick up its second win in as many games.
Lemetti finished with 13 points – 10 of which he poured in the final frame as the Elasto Painters proved to be the spoilers to the return of Justin Brownlee and debut of new Kings Isaac Go, Stephen Holt and highly-touted rookie RJ Abarrientos.
Aaron Fuller also remained steady with 16 points and 23 rebounds while Andrei Caracut finished with 14 points.
The Elasto Painters were actually staring to an eight-point deficit, 53-61, halfway through the payoff period before Lemetti sparked the telling run, highlighted by his back-to-back layups over Justin Brownlee and Isaac Go.
He was also fouled while taking a four-pointer, coolly drilling three of the four freebies during that run before capping the late push with a cold-blooded triple to take the 73-64 lead with 1:07 left.
Japeth Aguilar paced Ginebra with 20 points while Brownlee, who is finally back with the Kings after missing the Commissioner’s Cup last season, poured 18 points and 10 rebounds. Scottie Thompson also returned from a back injury to finish with four points and 15 rebounds
Holt added 13 points while Go and Abarrientos could only muster two points apiece in their first game in Ginebra uniforms.
