RAIN or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said it was a bummer that rookie Felix Lemetti had to miss the rest of the season after a solid showing in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Lemetti was averaging 6.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists for the Elasto Painters before he went down with a fractured hand that he sustained in practice.
Guiao rued Lemetti has been playing well before the injury, which was why he was given a significant role atRain or Shine in the all-Filipino conference.
READ ROS rookie Felix Lemetti out for season due to fractured hand
“Malaking bagay kasi paganda na ang laro ni Felix eh,” said Guiao. “I don’t know if you noticed, we’ve added minutes to his playing time, we’ve given him a lot of starts doon sa mga games namin. Binigyan din namin siya ng opportunity na mag-finish ng mga laro.”
“He was just really getting into his groove, then nangyari ‘yun,” said Guiao.
Lemetti got off to a strong start for Rain or Shine, with the No. 8 pick in the Season 49 draft averaging 8.65 points and 44 percent from three-point range in the Governors’ Cup where he played in all 20 games of the ballclub.
But Lemetti dropped out of Rain or Shine’s rotation during the Commissioner’s Cup, his average dropping to 4.21 points and 36 percent shooting from threes while sitting out six of a possible 20 games.
He has since regained his place in the rotation during the Philippine Cup where he is averaging 18 minutes a game - up from the 13 in the Commissioner’s Cup - and even higher than the 16 during the season-opening Governors’ Cup.
Guiao said the absence of Lemetti will dampen Rain or Shine’s fast-paced game since the Rain or Shine rookie is a natural speedster.
“’Yung epekto, medyo bumagal kami. Si Felix, kapag nagdala ng bola, parang kangkarot ‘yun eh. Mabilis at natural sa kanya na mabilis siya,” said Guiao.
“’Yung ibang gwardya namin, kumbaga sa kabayo, kailangan pinapalo mo pa para bumilis. Si Felix, may kusa. Itutulak mo lang, mabilis na. ‘Yung iba naming mga gwardya, pinapalo pa para bumilis,” he added.
Rain or Shine is currently in a share of fourth place with Barangay Ginebra with a 6-3 win-loss record ahead of its out-of-town game against San Miguel in Cagayan de Oro City on Saturday.
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