WAYNE’S GOTTA BE ON THE FLOOR
For coach Yeng Guiao, Rain or Shine’s struggles root from Wayne Chism’s inability to stay on the floor.
“We just lost Wayne for 10 minutes. We couldn’t play him because he got called for his fourth foul very early,” Guiao said.
The newly minted Best Import awardee was whistled for his fourth foul at the 9:09 mark of the second period as he was defending Ranidel de Ocampo, forcing the fiery coach to take out his reinforcement and field an all-Filipino five.
Not helping any was Chism’s paltry 2-of-10 shooting from the field as he finished with a measly 13 points and eight rebounds.
“We tried to hold on in his absence and for a while, we did a good job,” said Guiao. “But for sure, the other team at some point of the game was able to take advantage. I think that’s the major part of the story today.”
He continued, “We just need Wayne to be a little cautious with the fouls. Sometimes I couldn’t really blame him because there are a lot of physical contacts during the game.”
Game 4 saw three players ejected, two of them coming from Rain or Shine.
Guiao believes that as intense as the series has become, with emotions running high, the Elasto Painters need to let it all hang out, and it starts with his import.
“Finals ito eh. Ibibigay ng parehong teams yung lahat ng makakaya nila,” the firery mentor said. “But for them, I think that’s the way they can win. They need to have our import in foul trouble.”
Now it’s back to the drawing boards for coach Yeng and his lieutenants as they get ready for Game 5 for what could be a pivotal 3-2 edge. (RL)
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