DESPITE a quarterfinals stint in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Ryan Pearson is not yet a lock as Rain or Shine import for the season-ending conference.
Coach Yeng Guiao said Pearson remains a choice as reinforcement of the Elasto Painters in next year’s Governors Cup, but disclosed they’re also considering other options.
“We will still consider him, kasi pagdating naman ng (Governors Cup), pare-pareho naman sila ng height. Napasabak lang siya rito sa mga iba talagang malalaki,” said Guiao.
See: Guiao admits ROS game plan thrown in disarray by Bay Area import switch
Pearson came in to replace Steve Taylor Jr. entering the homestretch of the eliminations, and with the end goal of eventually, retaining his services for the final conference of the season, which employs a height limit of 6-foot-6.
The 32-year-old Pearson led the Elasto Painters back to the playoffs after two conferences when they beat the NLEX Road Warriors in a knockout game for the eighth and final quarterfinals berth.
Rain or Shine though, didn’t go deep into the playoffs as it faced top seed Bay Area Dragons and lost by a mile, 126-96.
In the six games Pearson played, the team went 2-4. Two of the losses though, against Magnolia (106-90) and Converge (102-101) had the Elasto Painters leading most of the way, but collapsed in the endgame.
Pearson averaged 18.1 points and 7.1 rebounds in his first stint in the league.
With the Governors Cup still set for a late January kick off, Guiao and his coaching staff have enough time to scout other import choices.
“We are not counting him (Pearson) out, but we are considering other options,” said the Rain or Shine coach.