PBA: Greg Smith, Rain or Shine off to good start after ‘clean slate’

MANILA, Philippines – Rain or Shine finally got its first win in the PBA Governors Cup on Sunday, beating Blackwater, 122-117, to end its four-game drought.

New import Greg Smith II won the Elasto Painters’ breakthrough in his PBA debut which looked like a comeback as he was the team’s original choice for the 2016 Governors Cup but just overstepped the mark and was replaced. by Dior Lowhorn.

“Coach (Yeng Guiao) said it was a clean sheet. 0-0 at this point. 1-0 now. But you know, he said he wants to reset everything that happened before and you know make it a new opportunity for everyone man,” the American striker told reporters as he left the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday.

Smith showed whether Rain or Shine asked for services, making five of eight attempts from distance on the way to a 38-point outing that went with six rebounds and five assists in 35 minutes of action.

Not bad for someone who has been inactive for about half a year after the birth of their first child. The last time he played competitive basketball was during the ESPN Basketball Tournament.

But the chance to finally come through for Rain or Shine and straighten it is just too difficult to pass up on, he said.

“I don’t want to play soon because (my son) is still young. But this opportunity is one that I want because, as I said, in 2016, I want to be here and this is where I feel comfortable. Now I am here , hopefully we can win some games today,” said Smith, who replaced Michael Qualls.

Smith’s arrival couldn’t be more fitting for Guiao and his crew. At 1-4, the Painters still have six more games on tap and some of them are winnable.

Next for Rain or Shine is Terrafirma, then Magnolia, NLEX, then Phoenix. The rugged crew then took on NorthPort before ending the elimination round against San Miguel Beer.

Smith knows that it is a very different task to lead a team that is trying to turn the campaign around than to help them add to their second PBA crown—his original mission almost seven years ago.

But he is adamant that both jobs carry the same amount of pressure.

“I still think it’s the same pressure. This is a proud program. I know Gabe (Norwood) is a champion, Beau (Belga) is a champion. These guys want to win,” Smith said. “I feel the same pressure as when I came in 2016: Keep going and try to get us into the playoffs and make things happen.”

“I feel like, especially with the locals that we have, if we can get there (to these playoffs), we can beat the other guys and make at least one game,” he said.

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