RAIN or Shine lived and died with Andre Caracut.
Coach Yeng Guiao disclosed the last play of the Elasto Painters in regulation of their PBA Philippine Cup game against Meralco was specifically designed for the 5-foot-11 guard though rookie Adrian Nocum also had the hot hands all night long.
In the end, Guiao said the team opted for Caracut’s veteran presence.
“We felt mas beterano siyang point guard. Sa sobrang ganda ng nilalaro ni Nocum, he could have been there. But we decided it would be Andre since he’s our primary point guard, he’s the veteran,” said Guiao following the game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“But it was a choice of him and Nocum with the ball.”
Caracut did get a shot, but missed on a reverse layup, paving the way for the overtime period, where the Elasto Painters eventually lost, 121-117.
“We took the risk, but it didn’t pay off. But I felt it was a good attempt. We really had a good chance of winning the game in his hands,” said Guiao of Caracut.
But the coach said Caracut could have made the shot a lot simple.
“He had an open lane on his right side and it could have been a simpler layup. Ang nangyari kinuha niya sa reverse,” said Guiao. “Anyway, ganun talaga.”
It was the second straight close loss for the Elasto Painters, who absorbed a 108-107 loss to TNT in their conference debut.
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.
