JUN JUN Cabatu outshone former La Salle teammate Joseph Yeo as Rain or Shine (formerly Welcoat Paints) outsteadied Harbour Centre, 57-52, in the 2006 PBL Heroes Cup pre-season game Saturday at the New Era Gym.
The 6-foot-5 Cabatu, taken by Rain or Shine from ICTSI-La Salle during the dispersal draft, did just everything on the court – rebounding, posting up, defending and scoring – to emerge as the worthiest performer for the Elasto Painters with 12 points.
Although it was his first time to play for a team outside La Salle, the son of two-time MVP winner Sonny Cabatu immediately made an impact for the Elasto Painters who are going for back-to-back titles when the kick-off tournament of the 24th season kicks off on Saturday at the Greenhills gym.
The Elasto Painters, who ended almost three years of misfortunes with their championship win in the Unity Cup last June, also drew big games from JR Reyes, former pro Gilbert Malabanan, Jay Coching and Erwin Sta. Maria.
Yeo also did well for the Mikee Romero-owned Harbour Centre as he tallied a game-high 13 points, five of them in the final period where he tried to turn the game around but failed.
Both team started tentatively but the Elasto Painters caught fire in the second quarter as the 6-foot-7 Reyes and Cabatu joined hands in a mighty run to take a 25-22 halftime lead.
