Head coach Yeng Guiao is sticking with the tried-and-tested run-and-gun style that propelled Rain or Shine to the quarterfinals of the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup.
While the Elasto Painters’ advance got stalled, Guiao swears the youthful composition of his squad is perfect for that fast-paced game.
“You cannot just do the running game if you don’t have the right personnel,” Guiao said following Rain or Shine’s loss to San Miguel Beer a few days ago.
“We’re just lucky that our team is fitted for the running game.”
Guiao insists the “right personnel” made it possible for him to apply the system which is somehow patterned after Mike D’Antoni’s eight second or less offense with the Phoenix Suns.
Made up mostly of rookies, sophomores and juniors and a sprinkling of old hands, the Elasto Painters seem to be thriving using that dynamic brand of play.
In fact, Rain or Shine is the tournament’s No. 1 offensive team with an average of 110.4 points a game.
And the addition of an import who turned out to be what the doctor prescribed made Rain or Shine a tough team to beat.
Before calling it a day, Tree Treadwell was the Commissioner’s Cup leader in rebounds with over 17 an outing.
With Treadwell, the Elasto Painters posted a six-game winning run after starting the elimination round with a 0-5 win-loss record. That late burst in the second phase of the elimination round allowed Rain or Shine to make its way to the quarterfinal round.
Proof that Rain or Shine’s firepower was balanced, seven players had averaged eight points or more a game.
Andrei Caracut emerged as the starting point guard for the team but he also led the Elasto Painters locals in scoring with 14.91 points per game while dishing out five assists per contest.
Forward Leonard Santillan posted 11.91 points per game and close to five rebounds while rookie Keith Datu also stepped up offensively by averaging 11.17 points, 5.83 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per outing.
Veteran Beau Belga, Rey Nambatac and the vastly-improving Jhonard Clarito also made key contributions.
Belga, one of only two remnants from the two-time champion team of the franchise, averaged 9.80 points while Nambatac did 8.45 points a night while Clarito, once a reserve player who was able to crack the regular roster, registered 8.18 points and 3.45 rebounds game averages.
“This is a young team and we have a lot to improve in our system. Youth is our advantage against the more established teams. We felt that if we’re a younger team, we can run more,” Guiao said.
“You’re going to expect this all the time. This is going to be our brand of game,” he added.
