E-PAINTERS TEST METTLE OF DOLLARD, ENERGY
RAIN or Shine coach Yeng Guiao has seen practically all the opposition in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup and what he saw impressed him.
The more reason Guiao harbors some concerns prior to his Elasto Painters opening up their campaign in the mid-season tourney against Barako Bull 3 p.m. Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Gnawing at Guiao’s mind most at the moment is the Energy’s Joshua Dollard, a replacement import who debuted with 45 points in the Energy’s 104-108 overtime loss to Barangay Ginebra last Friday.
“Their import will be focal point of our defense. He’s not just a scorer but efficient as well, as evidenced by his high shooting percentage,” said Guiao of Dollard, who went 23-for-37 from the field and also hauled down 18 rebounds despite being the smallest reinforcement at just under 6-5.
It is not just Dollard or the rest of Barako that worries Guiao, however. Rather, it is his players barely getting their legs back following a grueling six-game Finals duel with San Mig Super Coffee in the Philippine Cup that ended just last Feb. 27.
“We are not fully recovered and we haven’t played with our import outside of practice,” said Guiao.
“We might struggle a bit at the start, but I think we can grind out a win,” added Guiao.
What eases some of Guiao’s worries is the fact his import, Alexander McLean, seems to have grasped his system and gets along well with his local teammates.
With McLean’s vast experience, it is but to be expected.
The well-traveled Liberty U product, officially measured at a shade under 6-7, has been described by Guiao as a “right fit” for the E-Painters.
“May tira sa labas, may katawan, nakaka-poste at masipag,” was how Guiao described the natural forward who has plied his wares in Europe, the Middle East and Australia.
There is another thing going for McLean since he comes in highly recommended by former E-Painters reinforcement and Best Import awardee Arizona Reid.
The biggest question now for Guiao is how his locals step up and provide the support for their import.
“The sooner we get our rhythm the better for us,” said Guiao.
The same questions nag at Barako coach Bong Ramos, who saw his team falter and blow a five-point lead in the last 75 seconds of regulation in the game against Ginebra which had 11 deadlocks and 19 lead changes.
Only Mick Pennisi and Carlo Lastimosa were able to back up Dollard while the likes of JC Intal, Ronjay Buenafe and Dorian Pena struggled. (NC)
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