IN a dream coming true for a basketball-loving family, Mike Nieto finally set foot on the PBA hard court. And what a pro debut it was for this former Gilas cadet.
Nieto came through with a memorable PBA debut, delivering 21 points with 4-of-7 three-pointers to help the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters to a near wire-to-wire 104-90 drubbing of the NorthPort Batang Pier at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday night.
The former Ateneo hotshot, the fifth pick in the special Gilas PBA draft in 2019, also got away with eight rebounds and two assists as Rain or Shine snapped a two-game losing skein while keeping NorthPort winless in five starts in the Governors' Cup.
"It's a sense of urgency coming into this game. To go far down, it would be hard to climb up. Our schedule is not going to get easier," said Rain or Shine coach Chris Gavina as his troops improved to 3-3.
Henry Walker came through with a triple-double job with 17 points, 11 boards and three assists and Norbert Torres, Gabe Norwood and Anton Asistio helped with double-digit outputs as the E-Painters spoiled Jamel Artis' debut as a NorthPort import.
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Nieto made a big impact with 8-of-17 clip from the field overall as the E-Painters got back on the winning track.
"This is a dream for my dad (former Ateneo player Jet) and I'm focused on it. I'm excited," said Nieto on his PBA debut.
He said birthdays in the family made him more determined to do what was asked of him by his team.
"Ever since, I'm not after personal glory. Alam ni coach Tab (Baldwin) yan and my teammates at Ateneo. Hinanap lang ako ng teammates ko and I was able to make my shots," said Nieto.
Nieto and the E-Painters worked well together, thus, dominating the NorthPort Batang Pier even as they welcomed a new import in Artis.
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The former Orlando Magic went 7-of-19 from the field and finished with 23 points, 10 rebounds and four assists against four turnovers in 45 minutes of action.
But they struggled minus key players Robert Bolick and Greg Slaughter.
Doing a lot better on both ends, the E-Painters led by as big as 18 in their 14-point triumph. (SB)
The Scores:
Rain or Shine 104 - Nieto 21, Walker 17, Torres 12, Asistio 11, Norwood 10, Mocon 8, Caracut 7, Ponferada 5, Borboran 4, Santillan 4, Belga 3, Jackson 2, Guinto 0, Tolentino 0.
NorthPort 90 - Artis 23, Ferrer 23, Malonzo 13, Santos 11, Sumang 6, Rike 5, Balanza 3, Taha 3, Doliguez 2, Cruz 1, Subido 0, Dumapig 0, Abundo 0.
Quarters: 25-22, 51-40, 79-64, 104-90.
