MANILA — Rain or Shine will enter the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals with a six-game winning streak.
The ElastoPainters’ most recent victims were the Converge FiberXers, with ROS escaping the Aldin Ayo-led squad, 112-111, on Sunday en route to their sixth straight win.
Prior to their hot streak, they were winless after their first five assignments.
The key to this, according to Beau Belga, was the E-Painters finding the right import for them — ROS’s replacement reinforcement Demetrius Treadwell.
“Maybe, just finding the right import,” said Belga, who was hailed as the Best Player of the Game, shortly following their win.
“In our first import, mostly outside threat, 10-12 shots outside him. Then they got an import coach who is an inside operator, so the leftovers outside, go to the locals,” he explained, pointing out how Treadwell’s presence also unlocked the offensive game of his fellow locals.
“It’s a bit spread out [offense] because Tree can dominate the inside. Sometimes what happens is, he will stay but will kick him outside when he sees something [better option].”
“We really got an import that will fit in with us,” Belga added.
Like ‘Big Beau’, ROS mentor Yeng Guiao also vouched for their import, saying that Treadwell fits like a glove with his squad.
“He is exactly what we need,” shared the outspoken mentor. “I would have liked our import to have three, but it’s okay with me that he doesn’t have an outside game as long as he’s so dominant inside.”
The PBA champion coach also mirrored Belga’s comments on how Tree has helped the confidence of his teammates.
“Tree is helpful and beautiful to us because the locals take responsibility to strategize on their own which is important in the playoffs.”
“It’s the right import, our locals are gaining confidence because they know they can’t rely on it. The big thing is that they know how to find a spare and make a decision,” he added.
“When you see him in the middle, when you drive, you hesitate,” Guiao continued, commending Treadwell’s impact on the defensive end.
“He has leadership, he talks to his teammates, and is sober in practice.”
Moving forward, Guiao shared that regardless of who they will face in the quarterfinals, Rain Or Shine will come in ready.
“It’s up to them, as long as whoever turns out to be our opponent, that’s what we prepare for,” said the former Gilas Pilipinas head tactician.
They will face either the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters or the San Miguel Beermen both with a twice-to-beat disadvantage, and that will be determined after Sunday’s games.
Guiao, however, is focused on his team’s capabilities, especially since they are equipped with a long win streak
“Our assessment of our chances is good. We’re coming off a six-game win streak, but the important thing is that we can improve our execution.”
Still, he remains grounded and dispelled the claims that they are now a championship-caliber squad.
“We still have a long way to go,” said Guiao.
“We are still a long way from what you would call championship caliber. We will know that when the quarterfinals come. Our opponent is twice-to-beat, so if you get through there, you can pretty much say that this is a strong team.”
“But we still have to prove it. We have no right to think of a championship. We can only prove it until the quarterfinals,” he expressed.
Source: ABS-CBN News
