YENG Guiao thought rookie Caelan Tiongson could've greatly helped Rain or Shine’s cause against San Miguel Beer in their closely-contested PBA Governors’ Cup game that ended on a thrilling note at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The 6-foot-6 Tiongson missed out on Thursday night's game against the Beermen due to an undisclosed illness.
San Miguel scored a gripping 113-112 win over Rain or Shine behind a June Mar Fajardo’s midrange jump shot at the buzzer.
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The league’s only eight-time MVP had monster numbers of 27 points and 21 rebounds, while import Jordan Adams finished with a game-high of 41 points as the Beermen stopped a two-game slide to improve to 3-2 overall.
But Guiao said had Tiongson been around, he could have greatly helped slow down Adams from doing his thing.
“Sayang hindi nakalaro si Caelan. Maganda sana siyang match-up dun sa import ng kalaban,” the Rain or Shine coach said. “Medyo nahirapan din kaming dumipensa kasi naka-41 points siya. Ang match-up namin si Gabe [Norwood], medyo magaan para doon sa import nila.”
Tiongson fell ill on Monday, according to Guiao, and didn’t get to practice with the team since then.
“Hindi na siya nakapag-ensayo until Wednesday,” said the Rain or Shine mentor. “Pero he’s feeling better now.”
Guiao expects the No. 7 overall pick in the last draft to resume training with the team by Saturday.
“He’ll be playing on Tuesday,” said Guiao on the team’s next game against the Phoenix Fuel Masters.
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