NEEDLESS to say, Rain or Shine needs a big man after being swept by San Miguel in the PBA 48th Season Philippine Cup semifinals.
Head coach Yeng Guiao said they will definitely look for one come next season’s PBA draft where they will have two first-round picks.
“Una, kung may malaki,” said Guiao on what the team will look for in the draft. “’Yun naman talaga ang premium sa draft, big men.”
The Elasto Painters found it difficult to contain June Mar Fajardo with their undersized frontline led by Beau Belga and Keith Datu, constituting the need for fortify the frontline if they want to go deeper next season.
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“When you want to get the championship or win a championship, sa pagka-constitute ng San Miguel team, parating may June Mar. Kailangang makahanap ka ng katapat ni June Mar,” said Guiao.
“Ang hirap maghanap ng physical specimen na puwede mong itapat sa kanya. Kapag binagsakan mo siya ng bola, may 70 percent ka na efficiency rate or kailangan mong dumoble team. Kapag dumouble team ka naman, dahil ang gagaling ng nakapaligid sa kanya, ‘yun naman ang magiging problema mo. It is really picking your poison,” said Guiao.
“But if you can have somebody who can match-up with June Mar with minimal help, doon ka may chance na talunin sila although malakas pa rin ‘yung support staff nila. I think everything is really created by the presence of June Mar on offense and defense. Kung gusto mong makarating sa finals or mag-champion, kailangan may solusyon ka sa problema,” Guiao said.
As shown in the semifinal series, Guiao said their primary big man Belga is undersized at 6-foot-5 and struggled in keeping up with the 6-foot-10 Fajardo with the seven-time PBA MVP’s size.
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Another Rain or Shine big man Luis Villegas would have helped in the semifinal series, but hasn't played a single game for his team as he is still recovering from an ACL tear he sustained while still playing for TNT in the PBA 3x3.
“Hindi naman puwedeng si Beau ang gagamitin mo dahil una, mas maliit talaga siya at mabigat pa rin si June Mar. Hindi mo puwedeng i-match-up ng 40 minutes na nilalaro ni June Mar sa laro. Kailangan may katulong pa rin siya. Those are the things that we are looking at,” said Guiao.
Guiao is also considering at looking at the free agent market but would prefer a younger player in the draft. Among the top big-man prospects being awaited in the draft are La Salle's Michael Phillips, Ateneo's Kai Ballungay, Benilde's Will Gozum, and of course the Pampanga Giant Lanterns' Justine Baltazar.
“Hindi mo rin puwedeng tignan ‘yung free agent ngayon hangga’t hindi mo alam kung ano ‘yung darating sa draft. Baka i-sign mo ‘yung free agent, baka may mas bata na puwedeng gampanan ‘yung role na ‘yun. Free agency will be considered after the draft,” Guiao said.
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