FOR the fifth time in six conferences, Rain or Shine was able to crack the semifinal round. And yet fans, who are rooting for this independent team, is wondering when will the Elasto Painters break into the championship round and eventually win the PBA title.
“We were not fortunate to crack the finals, but we believe it’s only a matter of time,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, who covered Game 7 of the best-of-seven finals series between Ginebra and TNT that saw the league’s most popular squad winning its first PBA championship in three years.
The Elasto Painters, despite the semis loss, have every reason to feel upbeat as the team was able to make a deep run even though the squad was riddled by injuries to its key players.
Before the start of the tournament, veteran Stanley Pringle, acquired by the Elasto Painters from free agency, was sidelined by an injury.
Keith Datu also hurt his knee midway in the Commissioner’s Cup.
Talented rookie Jun Roque, Felix Pangilinan-Lemetti and Luis Villegas joined the casualties with similar cases of injuries, yet the Elasto Painters were still able to find ways pushing eventual champion Ginebra to a six-game series in the semifinal round.
Now the Elasto Painters are moving forward and setting their sights on the season-ending tournament — the Governors’ Cup — which features imports who are 6-foot-6 and below.
While Justin Brownlee set the standard among reinforcements, Rain or Shine felt it has the ability to contend and hopefully, make another deep run in the conference with returning reinforcement Aaron Fuller being called up for another tour of duty.
Fuller is not your typical high-scoring import, but he seems to be the better fit for the Elasto Painters as proven by last season’s performance where he helped carry the squad to a final four run before losing to eventual champion, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and the TNT Tropang 5G.
Hollis-Jefferson won’t be here to reinforce TNT as he is still recovering from an Achilles injury.
Fuller is tried and tested and he could provide the inside presence badly needed by the Elasto Painters.
Without Datu, Roque and Beau Belga, whose case is still being treated day-to-day due to vertigo, much will be expected on Fuller.
Last season, Fuller has averaged 21 points, 17.9 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game, but expect his numbers to increase more knowing that he’ll be relied upon heavily to make up for the absence of their key players.
But Rain or Shine’s energetic youth movement is still already in place led by Adrian Nocum, Andrei Caracut, Jhonard Clarito, Anton Asistio, Santi Santillan, Caelan Tiongson, rookies Deo Cuajao abd Josh David and team captain Gian Mamuyac, who is expected to be given a contract extension.
Guiao’s system of bringing the best out of everyone is being given premium and with glue guy in Fuller, expect the Elasto Painters to contend against the powerhouse teams and make another serious run.
The Elasto Painters are patient and working hard to get better and they are on the right track to possibly make their first championship round appearance for the first time in 10 years.
