By REYNALD MAGALLON
Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao was pretty much satisfied with the efforts of his charges as they caught another big fish in San Miguel despite playing a good stretch without its import due to foul trouble.
Deon Thompson was saddled with foul trouble, largely due to defending June Mar Fajardo, but the Elasto Painters managed to hold the fort as the young guns took charge in the pivotal fourth quarter assault.
“Good sign sa amin yun na we were able to hold our own kahit all-Filipino kami. Na-foul trouble si Dion. So kailangan talaga magtiis kami ng ilang minuto na nakapahinga siya para hindi siya ma-expose pa dun sa more fouls,” said Guiao.
“Nakita ko yung effort ng mga bata nakita mo rin na gusto talaga nilang manalo Kahit nung panalo namin sa Eastern, you can see the desire. Mararamdaman mo na gusto nilang manalo talaga. So I’m really happy with our effort,” added the fiery mentor.
While Thompson made a good account of himself with 18 points, four rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals, it was Adrian Nocum who spearheaded the attack with 15 points, five assists, four rebounds and four assists as the ROS unloaded a 12-0 run in the final frame.
Rookies Felix Lemetti and Caelan Tiongson had 14 and 12 respectively while sophomore Keith Datu and third year guard Jhonard Clarito had 12 and 10.
Guiao credited the team’s defense, especially limiting a team that is brimming with firepower like SMB to just 93 points. The stops also allowed ROS to impose its own style of play, which is to outrun and outgun its opponents – a huge contrast to SMB’s slow pace and halfcourt sets.
“Our defense was the key against a really strong offensive team like San Miguel. To limit them to 93 points, it’s really the effort we put out on defense,” Guiao pointed out.
“Our only chance against San Miguel is to play fast pag nakipag half court ka wala kang tyansa. The only way to win is to play at the pace na di sila comfortable, tutal yun din naman yung pace talaga namin gusto lang namin na mabilis lang yung laro and I think that works for us,” he added.
ROS has picked two big wins against Eastern and San Miguel and it is looking to sustain it against another contender in Magnolia to close out 2024 and before the team go on a Christmas break.
“Nakadalawang malalaking isda kami, yung Eastern at SMB. So meron talaga kaming hinahabol ng number of wins bago magpasko. Baka madagdagan yung pamasko sa amin kung maganda-ganda yung record namin,” added Guiao.
