By REYNALD MAGALLON
Rain or Shine (ROS) coach Yeng Guiao finds silver lining to the fact that his local players have been performing well amidst the team’s 0-5 record so far in the 2023 PBA Commissioner’s Cup – already its worst start in the import-conference in its franchise history.
For the second straight game, an Elasto Painter recorded a career-high in scoring, first was Andrei Caracut who exploded for 35 points against Ginebra, and then Gian Mamuyac. who had a 33-point performance in another close loss to San Miguel.
And it wasn’t the two alone. Guiao also saw some good contributions from Leonard Santillan, Jhonard Santillan, Anton Asistio, Rey Nambatac and even rookies Keith Datu and Adrian Nocum from time to time.
“Our locals did a good job. I’m not really disappointed with the way our locals played. We had a chance to win the game again. One or two possessions in the end game. Pero pag natalo ka parang nanenegate yung effort na yun so in the dugout, I had to emphasize to them na to me this is still a good sign,” said Guiao after a 115-100 loss to SMB.
Apart from Rain or Shine’s loss to NorthPort, all of its games were close, only losing by an average margin of four points. The team could have been easily 4-1 if only ROS managed to pick a good import to reinforce the locals according to Guiao.
The Elasto Painters had Dajuan Summers in the first four losses before going for Demetreus Treadwell who had a somewhat underwhelming debut of just eight points, 15 rebounds and five assists.
“Yung limang talo namin di ko tatangapin na locals ang naging dahilan. But nonetheless we are a team, we will try to fix the problem baka mayroon pang pag asa. Kung wala naman I’m really excited looking forward sa All Filipino,” said Guiao whose team now needs to sweep all of its six remaining games to be in contention for a playoff spot.
Guiao’s local crew could only get stronger with Datu and the expected return to full health of another rookie big man in Luis Villegas.
“That’s what excites me now nakikita ko hindi yung locals ang dahilan at meron pang di kami nagagamit na malaking potential din na pwedeng idagdag sa lineup I think i guess that’s the silver lining sa clouds ngayon,” he added.
