CITY OF DASMARINAS - Rain or Shine needs more from import Aaron Fuller if it to turn around its PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals series against Converge.
Yeng Guiao noted Fuller was held below his usual average in the season-ending conference and led to a 105-89 loss in Game 3 against the FiberXers Tuesday night at the Dasmarinas City Arena here.
The veteran import was limited to four points on 2-of-11 shooting in the loss that pushed Converge to a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series.
READ Converge knocking on PBA semis door after Game 3 win over ROS
Fuller, 36, was averaging 26.0 points and 12.7 rebounds prior to his meltdown.
“We missed Aaron in this game. I think he only made four points, 2-out-of 11. If it is an import conference, you can’t survive with your import scoring only four points,” said Guiao after the game.
“So we’ll have to talk to him. Kailangan sigurong ipaalala sa kanya that we will require a much better performance. The numbers that he produced today are not enough for us to win even if the locals made their contributions.”
In contrast, Fuller’s counterpart Cameron Clark had 18 points, five rebounds, and five assists.
The output of the Rain or Shine import as far as Guiao’s recollection, could be his worst game in the league.
“If I'm not mistaken, baka ito yung pinaka-masamang laro niya sa Philippine soil. I don’t know kung meron pa siyang output na mas mababa pa sa four points and playing 37 minutes,” said Guiao of Fuller, whose been playing under him since his days with the NLEX Road Warriors.
He noted the Elasto Painters led by as many as eight points in the third quarter despite Fuller's .
“I think that’s a good sign for us, if only he can play his regular game or just contribute na lang niya yung averages niya. So yun ang kinailangan namin na hindi namin nakita today,” said Guiao.
But the veteran coach said the loss was not solely Fuller’s fault.
“Meron talagang ganun. You have bad nights, your import has bad nights,” he said.
Game 5 is set Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, giving the Elasto Painters enough time to regroup and try to salvage their season.
“The series is not over,” said Guiao. “Tingnan natin kung ano ang mangyayari sa Friday.”
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
