Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao believes Tree Treadwell’s brand of play is the main reason why the Elasto Painters have regained their winning ways after a horrible 0-5 start in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup.
Despite the American reinforcement’s lack of scoring knack and athleticism, Guiao seems to be convinced that Treadwell is what makes the squad tick.
“There are a lot of flaws in Tree Treadwell’s game and that’s a fact,” Guiao told DAILY TRIBUNE.
“We all know that he’s not the most athletic among the imports, nor he’s a big-time scorer. He also doesn’t have the outside shot. There are a lot of weaknesses on his game.”
In fact, Treadwell’s shortcomings were on full display during ROS’s 119-112 win over TNT last 5 January.
He missed 12 free throws while making just five but still ended up with 25 points but collared a staggering 24 rebounds for the E-Painters’ fifth straight victory.
Only averaging a measly 20 point an outing, the lowest among the imports, Treadwell leads the way in rebounds with 18 a game.
“You could only pick a few positives in the game of Treadwell, but those strengths of his are the things we really needed and that’s why we’re winning,” Guiao said.
With Treadwell in tow, the Elasto Painters has won five in a row.
According to Guiao, Treadwell, who replaced DaJuan Summers, is like a better version of Pierre Henderson-Niles, his import when Rain or Shine last won a championship in the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup.
“We won a championship then with Pierre Henderson-Niles averaging less than 10 points per game, but similarly, he provides the things that we lacked which is rebounding and post defense,” Guiao said.
“But Tree Treadwell has a better offensive game and just like Pierre, he also provides the things that we need — rebounding and defending bigger players. He really brings those things that we badly need.”
In the playoffs, Guiao believes Treadwell will play a valuable role since the Elasto Painters will have to beat the No. 2 seed twice in order to advance to the semifinals.
The No. 2 seed could either be San Miguel Beer or Phoenix depending on the outcome on the final elimination round play date on Sunday.
