CHICAGO - With Beau Belga dealing with vertigo and Keith Datu sidelined with a strained calf, Rain or Shine has been drastically cut down to size.
Losing a combined 12 feet and one inch in length and 465 pounds of heft is especially damning in the import-deprived PBA Philippine Cup, otherwise unofficially known as the June Mar Fajardo Invitational.
Size definitely matters when the gatekeeper of the coveted trophy is a San Miguel Beer giant, a 10-time PBA champion and eight-time league MVP who carries his weight with ruthless impunity.
READ Mamuyac sparks early RoS blitz in wire-to-wire win over NorthPort
Coach Yeng Guiao, who has had a long history of wrestling with improbable odds, understands what he's dealing with in this ongoing All-Filipino campaign that is the signature conference of every PBA season.
"Maliit kami, isang problema 'yun," he told SPIN.ph, adding that addressing such concern would require mining for production off the bench and players stepping up to fill the void.
A COACH FOR ALL SEASONS.
Fortunately for Rain or Shine, it has a leader who handles adversity with the same zeal and enthusiasm that he handles prosperity.
Coach Yeng reminds me of Al Pacino's character in the iconic movie Any Given Sunday, a master motivator who squeezes every ounce of effort from his players.
So if there was locker room damage at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday night, it was caused by the Elasto Painters who ran through a wall for coach Guiao.
In their 113-96 victory over NorthPort, Rain Or Shine hauled an amazing 66 rebounds that epitomized the grit of this time.
And there were so many heroes.
Gian Mamuyac led the charge with 22 points while Andre Caracut and Caelan Tingson chipped in 15 apiece. Leonard Santillan had 17 and 10 boards while 40-year old Gabe Norwood turned back the clock with a nine-point, 10-rebound output.
TOUGH DEFENSE RATTLED NORTHPORT.
The Elasto Painters' defense mirrored the tenacity of their coach, hounding the Batang Pier to just 23.3 percent from 3-point distance (7-of-30) and 42.2 percent overall (31-of-57).
They also held NorthPort to 54 rebounds and rattled them into committing 24 turnovers.
It's important to note that Arvin Tolentino didn't suit up for NorthPort due to a right hip flexor injury. But the Batang Pier still had more than enough talent led by Joshua Munzon, William Navarro and Evan Nelle.
There will be more battles ahead for Rain or Shine, more size disadvantages to overcome.
But one thing's clear.
With Guiao at the helm, the Elasto Painters will never be out-worked, out-toughed and out of contention.
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