By Jonas Terrado
Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia is hoping that Raymond Almazan will act professionally if the disgruntled center decides to return from a lengthy absence.
Garcia’s comments came after he was tagged as the reason behind Almazan’s absence in Rain or Shine’s last four games in the PBA Governors’ Cup, something the coach seemed to have acknowledged after the Elasto Painters’ 120-98 win over the NorthPort Batang Pier last Wednesday.
“I hope he comes ready to play as a professional,” Garcia said. “If he shows up in practice and wants to play then he has to work for it. Basically, yun sinasabi ko sa mga players na magkahiyaan naman tayo.”
Management is scheduled to meet with Almazan this weekend to sort out what caused the lanky center to leave without formal notice.
Team governor Mamerto Mondragon met earlier this week with Almazan’s agent Danny Espiritu.
Garcia admitted that he was surprised with the report, though he cited his displeasure with Almazan’s tardiness as perhaps the reason for their apparent differences.
“At the end of the day, I’m just doing my job,” he said. “There was a time that I told him…kasi madalas siya mag-absent na ma-late and that we needed him to come back because we’re losing.
“I didn’t know that that’s gonna cause this because everybody comes in early and works and it’s working right now. If that’s the reason why, it’s my job to discipline the players. Basically we’re trying to be professionals,” added Garcia.
The Elasto Painters started the conference 0-4 but won their last two matches that began with Saturday’s 104-97 upset of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in Lucena City.
Rain or Shine seeks a third straight win Friday against Columbian Dyip at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City. A victory will put the Painters in a tie for eighth with the San Miguel Beermen at 3-4.
