A new import will be on board for Rain or Shine, which is now pressing the panic button to save its campaign in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup.
Jordan Tolbert, who is fresh from playing in Taiwan for the Taichung Suns and Taiwan Beer, will take over the spot of the injured Greg Smith in time for the Elasto Painters’ game against Phoenix Super LPG on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Elasto Painters and the Fuel Masters clash at 3 p.m. in a game that will be a make-or-break for Yeng Guiao and his boys.
Guiao said he received feedback from former Rain or Shine coach Chris Gavina about how Tolbert plays.
“We don’t want to rely on video clips anymore because what is being shown on video clips only makes everyone a good player,” Guiao told Daily Tribune in a phone interview.
“We are exchanging text messages with Coach Chris Gavina and asked for feedback on Tolbert and he told us that he’s a fundamentally-sound player.”
Guiao said Tolbert is an undersized power forward, somebody whom the small-ball Rain or Shine exactly needs.
“We’re a small team, so we have to get players who can play solid inside,” Guiao said.
“Normally, an import who stands 6-foot-6 are playing either guard or small forward overseas, but in the case of Tolbert, he’s an undersized power forward.”
Aside from Taiwan, Tolbert also played in Belgium and France. He arrived late Monday and attended the team’s workout on Tuesday morning.
Guiao and the coaching staff hopes the jetlag won’t affect the game of Tolbert, especially now that the Elasto Painters are in a must-win situation as they need to sweep their remaining three games to salvage a spot in the playoffs.
