YENG Guiao said Caelan Tiongson's defense and import Deon Thompson's inside presence gives Rain or Shine a 'realistic chance' against TNT in their PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup semifinals series.
Tiongson made life a bit miserable for TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson while Thompson was an imposing presence inside the paint in Game One which the Elasto Painters lost, 88-84, on Wednesday.
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The two-time Best Import awardee bled for his 23 points on 8-of-27 shooting from the field for 29 percent with Tiongson as his primary defender, although Tiongson’s offense suffered as he shot 1-of-11 from the field and finished with three points, five rebounds and three assists.
“Caelan is really a big factor especially on defense,” Guiao pointed out. “I think we’re able to limit RHJ’s percentage to about 29 percent as that kind of efficiency is a proof of our defense on him.”
The 6-foot-5 Tiongson was badly missed by Rain or Shine during the Governors’ Cup semis also against TNT as he suffered a calf strain that sidelined him for the entire best-of-seven series which the Tropang Giga won, 4-1.
At the same time, Thompson’s imposing inside forced the Tropang Giga to look for their shots from the outside, going 14-of-34 from three-point range.
“Deon is a bigger threat both inside and outside than Aaron (Fuller) was,” said Guiao, comparing the North Carolina product to Rain or Shine's import in the season-opening Governors' Cup.
Thompson had a game-high 29 points and 16 rebounds in his first semis appearance in the league.
“With those two factors, tingin ko mas realistic 'yung chances namin dito sa series na ito,” the Rain or Shine coach added.
"We’re disappointed [to lose], but we feel we have a realistic chance of getting back in the series. We’re anticipating a longer series. Nararamdaman ko yung difference nung series na ito at yung past series namin.”
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