By REYNALD MAGALLON
Eager to make a playoff push in the second half of the elimination schedule, Rain or Shine decided to make an import change and tap a new reinforcement in Ryan Pearson in place of Steve Taylor Jr.
The Elasto Painters made the announcement Monday, Nov 7 as Pearson is expected to arrive in the country on Wednesday, just in time for the Rain or Shine’s crucial encounter against the Bay Area Dragons on Friday.
The move came at the heels of a series of lackluster performances from Taylor who despite some decent numbers of 20 points, 16.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.5 assists, couldn’t lead the team to a winning record through eight games.
Not even a clutch performance from Taylor in Rain or Shine’s 76-75 escape of NorthPort could salvage his job as head coach Yeng Guiao insisted on the importance of taking their game to a higher level to be able to compete for a playoff spot.
“We are constantly reviewing, assessing and evaluating lalo ngayon may chance kami. You have also to look forward to our future competition paano siya magmamatch-up sa mga makakalaban namin,” Guiao said Saturday when asked about Taylor’s status following the import’s 20 points and 16 rebounds including the go-ahead basket and the game-preserving block against the Batang Pier.
Hoping to provide more firepower for the Elasto Painters is Pearson who is bringing in the much-needed leadership and experience, having played in Belgium, Hungary, France and Puerto Rico in the past, to a young and talented Rain or Shine crew that has the likes of Anton Asistio, Gian Mamuyac, Santi Santillan and Rey Nambatac.
