THE early success of teams like Rain or Shine (3-0) and Converge (2-2) is what will pump life to the PBA - not the newly adopted 4-point shot.
This was the early assessment of Converge consultant Rajko Toroman, whose team recently became the first in the history of the PBA to win a game via a game-winning 4-point shot at the expense of TNT.
For Toroman, the 4-point line added spice to a league that has been weighed down by poor venue attendance. But he said more than that, it is the competitiveness of the independent teams that will make the PBA interesting to the fans again.
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“I think it will be very beneficial to the league when darkhorse teams like Rain or Shine or Converge or other independent teams are playing at par with the usual title-contending teams,” said the pioneer Gilas Pilipinas mentor.
“Because people can see balance. Fans of these teams can see hope,” added the 69-year-old Serbian mentor.
“The Meralco championship as well was a plus factor for the PBA.”
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Toroman also believes that the current exploits of Rain or Shine proves that this team, mentored by ‘dehadista’ coach Yeng Guiao, ‘can give powerhouse teams like San Miguel and Ginebra a run for their money.
“The competitiveness of Rain or Shine can really give those teams a scare, a run for their money. And that will be very interesting for the fans and the PBA,” he said. “They already beat Ginebra, right?”
Toroman hopes that Rain or Shine’s rise up the top of the leaderboard will continue as this can inspire other independent teams like Converge and Phoenix to persevere.
“Though we have different sets of players and team compositions, I think, Rain or Shine can be a barometer for independent teams to play inspired,” he said.
Asked if he sees Rain or Shine winning a championship this conference or anytime soon, Toroman was positive.
“I think if they remain that competitive, definitely they can win a championship in the next conferences to come,” said Toroman.
What about Converge?
“Well, we’re not yet on the same status as Rain or Shine, but we are taking it one step at a time. We’re still waiting for Justine Baltazar to join us next conference and hopefully we get the needed additional pieces,” he said.
“Our first target is to make it to the playoffs, then we will take it from there. We can’t yet talk about Converge reaching the finals. It is still too early, we are still a very young team,” Toroman said.
Asked if he is already excited at the prospect of meeting his former team San Miguel, in which he was an active consultant when the team carried the name Petron back in 2012, Toroman shook his head before breaking into a laugh.
“No. there’s nothing special about us playing San Miguel. I treat each team the same, I am excited to be playing all teams with the same approach," the former Yugoslavia deputy coach. "Nothing different playing San Miguel than us playing Terrafirma or other teams.”
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