RAIN or Shine hopes to turn its PBA Governors Cup campaign around as it brings in a new import in Terrence Watson in time for its game against Alaska on Wednesday.
The 31-year-old Watson comes in as a replacement for J’Nathan Bullock, who failed to steer the Elasto Painters to a victory in their two outings in the season-ending meet.
Watson played for San Miguel in this same tournament last year, averaging 23.6 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.2 blocked shots.
The Beermen were eliminated by Justine Brownlee and Barangay Ginebra in the quarterfinals, cutting short San Miguel’s shot at completing a rare grand slam.
Watson makes his debut against an Alaska side (3-1) that hasn’t seen action since Sept. 2 in a 109-101 loss to Barangay Ginebra.
The Elasto Painters lost to TnT Katropa and Magnolia Pambansang Manok in succession after starting their campaign in the tournament a little bit too late after the core of the team, including coach Caloy Garcia, reinforced Team Pilipinas in the recent 18th Asian Games in Jakarta.
Garcia admitted the late entry of the six key players lent to the national team somehow also affected Bullock’s adjustment.
“Yung import namin, basically nangapa siya sa anim because two months, hindi sila naglaro,” said the Rain or Shine mentor.
“The import was practicing, then pagdating dito ng anim, nag-iba yung complexion ng offense.”
“We felt that we had to make a change that we need an import that can play on the post and help us on the boards. Hopefully he could bring us energy too on the defensive side,” said Garcia.
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