Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao was well-behaved the entire game when the Elasto Painters clashed with Converge on Sunday at the Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong.
But he couldn’t get the result he wanted after the FiberXers ran away with a 120-111 victory in their pre-season match in preparation for next month’s opening of the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup.
Before yesterday’s game, Guiao was ejected when Rain or Shine played and won against Phoenix Super LPG.
The volcanic-tempered coach from Pampanga was thrown out in the first half and was present the whole game against the FiberXers.
The loss could have been prevented had Guiao fielded in import DaJuan Summers in the second half.
However, Summers got sidelined owing to a calf injury and Guiao decided not to risk it.
“We didn’t risk it, but we liked what we saw with the players, particularly rookie Keith Datu,” Guiao said.
Datu, the 6-foot-8 center picked fourth overall by the Elasto Painters, scored nine of his 11 points in the second half.
Summers, a National Basketball Association veteran, scored 13 of his 21 points in the first period, but a calf strain that he experienced during the game forced Rain or Shine to ground him.
Converge was led by Thomas Vodanovich, who ended up with 27 points on top of 13 boards, while returning Mac Tallo contributed 21, 11 of them in the final quarter as the FiberXers booked their second straight victory.
Blackwater picked up its first win under new coach Jeff Cariaso as import Chris Ortiz and Rey Suerte joined forces, leading the Bossing to a 103-96
come-from-behind triumph over Phoenix Super LPG.
Phoenix led by as much as 19 points, 40-21, in the second period, but the Bossing outscored the Fuel Masters in the fourth, 30-14, to complete the big fight back.
Ortiz, a veteran of the 2023 FIBA World Cup, led the way with 28 points while Suerte chipped in 16.
Blackwater also spoiled an explosive game from rookie Ricci Rivero, who poured in 28 points for the Fuel Masters.
