2015-16 PBA Season Preview: Rain or Shine Elasto Painters
Over the years, Rain or Shine has been the most consistent team as far as contending for a championship is concerned.
The Elasto Painters have reached at least the semifinals in the past several seasons and have made a couple of finals appearances as well.
Rain or Shine, which won a title in 2012 Governors’ Cup — it’s first and only so far — has always been close to winning it all and that’s where the team thinks their problem also lies.
“I think that’s the reason why we made some changes. It’s because coach Yeng told the players na wala na ngang nangyayari,” said said ROS assistant coach Caloy Garcia, who handled the team in a tuneup game against Blackwater on Tuesday with head coach Yeng Guiao filing his certificate of candidacy.
“Umaabot nga tayo sa finals but the ultimate goal is really to win the championship.”
Last season, Rain or Shine lost to Talk ‘N Text in the Commissioner’s Cup Finals and made the semifinals in the Philippine Cup and Governors’ Cup.
Falling short of winning the title yet again, Rain or Shine, a franchise that is a firm believer of continuity, felt it was time to make the necessary changes upon another failed bid.
In the offseason, Rain or Shine parted ways with two key rotations players in rugged guard Ryan Araña, power forward Jervy Cruz and backup point guard Jonathan Uyloan while selecting three intriguing prospects in Maverick Ahanmisi, Josan Nimes and Don Trollano in the Rookie Draft last August.
The Painters also beefed up their frontline with the addition of former National University slotman Jewel Ponferada.
“You’ll see a lot more of him this year compared to the way he was playing with his previous teams kasi sa lineup namin apat lang big man namin and he’s performing well,” Garcia said of Ponferada.
“We just made some minor adjustments and based on it mas humaba lang kami this year compared to the team last year.”
Despite the changes, Garcia thinks the team remains intact.
“I don’t think there’s any difference. Maganda pa din samahan nila and everybody knows there roles in the team and at the same time we know how important every game is,” said Garcia after Rain or Shine beat Blackwater, 97-87 minus Paul Lee and Jeff Chan, both nursing minor injuries.
“Eveybody’s excited. We’re just going to play the same way how we played last year and we’re hoping that we can win one this year.”
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