FINDING a way to contain Justin Brownlee and RJ Abarrientos have become one of the priorities of Rain or Shine heading into Sunday’s Game 3 of their semifinals series against Barangay Ginebra in the PBA 50th Season Commissioner’s Cup.
Ginebra’s one-two punch of Brownlee and Abarrientos have been pumping in big numbers over the last two games.
Brownlee is averaging 31.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks, with Abarrientos posting averages of 23.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in the first two games of the series.
READ: Nose injury won't stop RJ Abarrientos from playing in Game Three
The two are also shooting at an incredible rate from threes with Brownlee making seven of his 14 shots from that zone in the first two games, and Abarrientos drailing eight of his 20 shots during the same stretch.
Guiao said Rain or Shine must not only limit Brownlee and Abarrientos’ production but also their ability to get their teammates opportunities to score.
“We’ll have to find a solution to those guys,” said Guiao, referring to Brownlee and Abarrientos, after the Game 2 loss on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“I think they create a lot of opportunities, not only for themselves. Kasi nagko-compensate ka talaga kapag dinedepensahan mo sila. Nao-open yung ibang teammates nila. We will have to solve that. Sobrang galing kasi nung dalawa.”
Late effort
With Brownlee and Abarrientos leading the way, Barangay Ginebra shot 10-of-20 from threes in the first half, forcing Rain or Shine to mount a furious comeback before falling short, 109-101.
“Medyo na-late yung effort namin. Fourth quarter na nung dumating yung energy namin, yung effort ng mga bata," Guiao said.
"They (Ginebra) shot the ball really well in the first half - 10 of 20 yung shooting nila. Medyo hindi kami nakasabay doon sa three-point shooting nila."
He hopes to avoid having to mount another big comeback for Game 3, his wards will no longer need to mount a huge comeback in the end.
“But when you put on our late effort, nakadikit pa rin, nagkaroon ng chance. Siguro importante, nakakadikit lang kami,” Guiao said on the Game 2 fightback bid.
“Kung nakadikit kami ng three quarters, fourth quarter, hindi masyadong mahirap habulin. We will do our best to keep the series close. But we got outplayed for three quarters and we couldn’t catch up sa fourth. Kapos na yung rally namin."
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