Basden impressive in Petron debut; Rain or Shine scores

ANTIPOLO: Rashad McCants, it seems, is not the only NBA vet who could turn out to be the most exciting import in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
Eddie Basden of Petron Blaze, after 28 points and 10 rebounds, surely has something to say about that.
Basden, the Mohawk-haired former Chicago Bull, led the defending champion Boosters to an easy 97-83 decision of McCants and the Powerade Tigers last night as Petron got its title-retention bid off to a swashbuckling start at the Ynares Center here.
All attention on imports was on McCants coming into the game, with the former University of North Carolina Tar Heel getting all the pre-tournament hype because of glowing collegiate and NBA credentials.
But it was all about Basden, who synched perfectly well with his local backup as the Boosters closed out the half sitting on a 21-point lead before polishing off the win with a superlative finish.
“We have a lot of ways to improve, considering that he (Basden) has been here only since Tuesday,” Petron coach Ato Agustin told reporters, speaking proudly of his prized-find that could complement a star-studded local roster.
“He is a very smart player and he is not selfish,” Agustin continued. “Eddie could be the perfect import for us.” Petron is seeking to repeat as champion here after upsetting Talk ‘N Text last year and denying the Tropang Texters a Grand Slam. And with Basden, the Boosters seem to have all the tools, especially with Jay Washington back after more than a year of absence.
Washington played his first game and was broken in by Agustin. The 6-foot-7 swingman was played sparingly and finished with four points, enough exposure, Agustin said, to get him ready for the latter stages of the season-ending tournament.
Alex Cabagnot added 17 points and Arwind Santos 16 even as McCants, who played five seasons in the NBA and made more than $7.5 million, finished with 27 for the Tigers.
Also winning on opening night was Rain or Shine, which also started out hot and needed to quell a third quarter rally by Alaska before pipping the Aces, 107-100, in the first game.
Jamille Cornley, supposedly a stand-in for original import choice Arizona Reid, had 27 points and 14 rebounds for the Elasto Painters, who converted 12 total triples and posted leads of as many as 23 points in the first half against the Aces.
It was a rude welcome for new Alaska coach Luigi Trillo, whose debut as a full-time coach was given some respect by the team which refused to give up and even came within three points past the halfway mark of the third period.
“I am happy that the import (Cornley) is a right fit for us,” Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said.
“He can defend and he has a decent outside shot,” Guiao continued. “Even if he is scouted (by the other teams), the fact that he gives us a solid inside threat can free up our shooters.” Jeff Chan made the most out of that development, nailing four triples and completing a rare four-point play off Wesley Gonzales late in the third period that restored a double digit lead for the Painters.
LA Tenorio, Cyrus Baguio and import Jason Forte had worked on taking the Aces within 59-62 in the third after Alaska had lagged behind by as many as 23 in the third period.
Cornley scored 13 of his total in the first quarter and jumpstarted the Rain or Shine offense.
“It is obviously a good start for us,” Guiao, who refused several trade offers in the off-season believing his team is maturing at just the right time, said.