DUBAI – Updated scouting report on new Globalport reinforcement Jarrid Famous is so scarce that Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said Wednesday, perhaps only half-kiddingly, that the only information they have on the 6-foot-11 center is that “he knows something about doing the laundry and dry cleaning.”
Guiao, during breakfast with his coaching staff at the Trader’s Hotel in downtown Dubai, was, of course, referring to the globally-situated Famous Laundry and Dry Cleaning Services, not the one the Elasto Painters will contend with Thursday in the first of back-to-back official PBA Governors’ Cup games at the Al Shabab Al Arabi Club.
“Yun lang ang alam namin sa kanya,” said Guiao still in jest moments before the Elasto Painters boarded the bus headed for the practice venue on the eve of their game with Famous and Globalport at 7:30 p.m. (11:30 p.m. Manila time).
Rain or Shine then takes on Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on Friday.
A video of Famous’ stint with the Meralco Bolts during the 2012 Commissioner’s Cup was actually made available to the E-Painters, who hope to get their stalled campaign this conference going by making it two in-a-row after dropping their first two games.
“Without sounding two ambitious, we need these two games to get back in contention,” Guiao said. “We can start thinking about contending again if we win. It not, then it’ll be very difficult for us.”
Globalport, Guiao believes, presents two major challenges for the E-Painters.
“They are playing very well and they have a new import coming in,” he said.
Famous replaces standby import Steve Thomas, who had 21 points and 12 rebounds when the Batang Pier suffered their first loss after a 3-0 start, falling to San Miguel Beer and Arizona Reid, 124-102, last May 17.
He arrived Tuesday afternoon from Manila ahead of Globalport coach Pido Jarencio, who reportedly has recovered from a severe case of diarrhea that kept him from joining his team last Monday.
“Okey na si coach Pido; dating siya bukas,” said Globalport alternate governor Erick Arejola.
With Famous towering over ROS import Wendell McKines, the highlight of the game will be the matchup between star Elasto Painters point guard Paul Lee and Globalport one-on-one sensation Terrence Romeo, two ace playmakers reportedly being eyed by Gilas Pilipinas coach Tab Baldwin for inclusion to the national team.
While acknowledging the need for a healthy roster, with Jeff Chan and Chris Tiu on the injury list and skipping the trip, Guiao dismissed suggestions to replace their import or trade for bigger players.
“We’re a very patient team,” he said. “We don’t really look at trades. When we encounter difficulty, we try to fix the problem from within. We’re not known for changing our lineup.”