Games Tomorrow
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4:15 p.m. – Globalport vs NLEX
7 p.m. – Mahindra vs San Miguel
Rain or Shine will be bringing back former import Wayne Chism two months before the Commissioner’s Cup opens shop.
ROS co-owner Raymond Yu confirmed this yesterday as Chism is in town and has been attending the practice session of the Elasto Painters.
The 6-foot-9 Best Import of the same conference last season was present in the team’s thrilling 94-86 win over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup last Sunday at the packed Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“What we like about him is his malasakit with the team, he said that he wants to win a title,” said Yu, who co-owns the franchise with Terry Que,
Chism and Rain or Shine fell short of winning the Commissioner’s Cup title last season when the Painters lost in a highly physical seven-game series, losing Game 7 in double-overtime opposite Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters.
This will be the third straight time that the former Tennessee stalwart will play for the Painters since he came in as a replacement for the ineffective Alexancer McLean during the 2014 Commissioner’s Cup.
“I’m going to make the best for it, at least get the championship,” said the 28-year-old Chism, who averaged nearly 26 points, 15 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two shot blocks in 40 minutes last season.
Chism lauded his teammates, particularly rookies Mav Ahanmisi, Don Trollano and Josan Nimes, and third year center Jewel Ponferada who are collectively stepping up now that top playmaker Paul Lee is out with a left knee injury.
Chism, who also had stints in Europe and in the NBA D-League, said he will go back to Bangkok, but he is expected to return once preparation with ROS begins for a title bid next conference, which starts Feb. 10.