RAIN or Shine thrived in a 113-96 victory over NorthPort last week despite the injury bug to its big men.
Elasto Painters coach Yeng Guiao heaved a big sigh of relief, but how long can they withstand the absence of Beau Belga (vertigo) and Keith Datu (calf)?
If there’s one thing that can work wonders for his team, it’s the extended break due to Lenten season.
“We can compete to a certain level siguro. Pero kapag kalaban mo na iyong mga San Miguel, iyong mga may malalaki talagang big men na kailangan mo pang i-match-up, kalaban mo iyong mga Converge or even Magnolia, may mga malalaki sila, mahihirapan talaga kami kung wala sila Beau, wala sila Keith,” Guiao said. “What we’re trying to do now is just trying to buy time for them. We’re hoping na, ito nga, medyo mahaba-haba iyong bakasyon.
“Sa April 27 pa iyong next game namin so it’s about 11 days from now. Tapos may Holy Week break. We’ll see kung kaya namin silang maibalik kahit isa lang sa kanila,” he added.
Gian Mamuyac showed the way for Rain or Shine with 22 points, three rebounds, and three assists while Leonard Santillan backed him up with 17 markers and 10 boards.
Caelan Tiongson and Andrei Caracut also had 15 each, with Adrian Nocum adding 10 points for the Painters.
Santillan, Tiongson, and veterans Gabe Norwood and Mark Borboran helped hold the fort for Rain or Shine which improved to 1-1 after the victory.
“Mahirap maka-survive, talagang masyado kaming maliit sa gitna. Testament lang to how hard our bigs played,” Guiao said. “Santi had to play at the four. Naglalaro na siya ng tres dati. Caelan did an excellent job on offense and defense. Just getting offensive rebounds, put backs, defense.
“Too bad his outside shot was not working pero kung umandar pa iyong three-point shooting niya, mas maganda pa sana. Again, it was a team effort. Gabe, Borb, Santi, just working hard off the boards and giving us those extra possessions.”
