By Jerome Lagunzad
Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia isn’t aware of the fact that the Elasto Painters have already duplicated in the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup their flawless 3-0 start in the 2012 Governors Cup when they went all the way for the franchises’s first-ever pro league title under former mentor Yeng Guiao.
Surprised as he may be, Garcia admitted that there’s no any big secret as to why the Elasto Painters have won their first three matches – all against perennial contenders Alaska, Ginebra and NLEX – and seized the solo lead in the mid-season tournament.
“I think the only reason why is that all players are starting to understand their (respective) roles right now,” he said in a phone interview yesterday, barely 24 hours after the Elasto Painters pulled off a 98-97 squeaker over Guiao and the Road Warriors last Wednesday night at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.
“Nu’ng dati kasi, everybody wants to play kaso hindi nabibigyan ng enough playing time. But now they’re starting to understand their roles. The bench has been stepping up, the bigs have been stepping up. Everybody’s really contributing.
“Not like before, parang hindi mo alam kung sino talaga ang ready to play. But right now, kahit sino gamin ko, ‘pag pasok, will really play hard. ‘Yun lang naman ang hinihingi namin sa players.”
The arrival of wide-import import Reggie Johnson should also be attributed to the Painters’ ear-success since the one-time ABL World Import winner has been giving them the inside presence which they have been lacking before.
More than his solid averages of 25.0 points, 17.0 rebunds, 3.3 assists and 2.3 blocks, Johnson’s cheerful character has been welcomed by his local Elasto Painters teammates with open arms.
“When Reggie came in, medyo gullible kasi siya sa practice. He jokes around with the players and the staff. Maganda kumbaga ‘yung takbo ng practice namin,” admitted Garcia.
Garcia also raved about the sustained play of starting guard Chris Tiu, who is thriving more as a facilitator. “The nice thing about our recent run is that when Chris is inside, he dictates the tempo. So our other guards, especially Rey (Nambatac) should also also learn that,” he said.
