RAIN or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao said he is pleased with the way import Jaylen Johnson played in the team’s 115-111 win over Barangay Ginebra last Wednesday in Game 1 of their PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup semifinal series at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The 6-foot-9 Johnson collected 40 points, 19 rebounds, three assists and three steals in leading Rain or Shine to victory in front of 10,400 screaming basketball fans, most of whom cheering for the other team.
Johnson showed no fear, especially matching up against Ginebra’s resident import Justin Brownlee, whom Guiao described as the PBA’s import version of the “G.O.A.T.” (greatest of all time).
“He stepped up to the moment,” Guiao said of Johnson, who is also a Best Import contender for the conference.
“To be able to stand up and be able to go toe-to-toe with Justin Brownlee is already a big achievement, and then we got to beat them.”
Johnson, who turns 30 this August, hit a four-point shot, which led to a critical 11-0 run by Rain or Shine in the fourth quarter.
“I’m just impressed that he’s that kind of a player,” Guiao said, in noting how Johnson played his guts out against the league’s most popular team.
Johnson’s 40-point output allowed the stocky American to redeem himself after scoring just 16 in Rain or Shine’s 90-114 setback to Ginebra during their elimination round meeting.
“I’m really encouraged with the win in Game 1 against a top team lime Ginebra. It boosts our morale,” said Guiao, who last led the Rain or Shine franchise to the PBA championship during the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup.
Come Friday, the Elasto Painters will be aiming for a 2-0 series bulge as action shifts to the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
RICHARD DY