PBA IMAGES After two games, Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao admits the Elasto Painers are still gauging what Antoine Wright can do for the team in the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup. Though the NBA veteran has had his numbers, that couldn’t stop the Elasto Painters from falling to their third straight loss, a 128-102 defeat to Alaska on Saturday to send the squad to a 1-3 slate. It was the team’s worst start since the 1-4 record in last year’s Governors’ Cup. “We need to talk to our import and see what else he can do,” said Guiao. “He played a little better tonight, but it’s not enough for us to win games. He should exert some leadership in moments na nag-shut down kami mentally.” Rain or Shine went on a dry spell in the third quarter, as it was outscored 20-8 in the final four minutes of the third which paved the way for the blowout. “We couldn’t make stops when they had a run. We just lacked the energy, chemistry, and we did not have our usual intensity. It’s a lack of drive, actually. We totally lost our drive,” said the fiery Guiao. “It’s hard to pinpoint what caused it. But’s it’s a mental shutdown. It doesn’t happen to us often, but it did tonight.” Guiao lamented it was the best time for Wright to exert his will and lead his team back to the game, something which, to his dismay, did not happen. “What we needed from him was the leadership, making the right play at the right time. Medyo mababa yung percentage nya. I felt that with his ability, he could take anyone to the basket, but he preferred to shoot the jump shots,” he said. Still, Guiao said that Rain or Shine will be sticking with Wright for Friday’s game against NLEX. “For now, we are focused on our Friday game against NLEX and ang nasa isip namin is we will still have Antoine,” he said, while also hinting that the Elasto Painters are keeping their options open. “We still have to consider backup plans. Ganun talaga pag natatalo.” Guiao also said he’s still keeping his hopes up despite the losing skid. “As long as we’re not eliminated, we’ll try to stay alive,” he said. “We still have a pretty good chance, because ang nangyayari ngayon, yung mga malalakas na team, hirap pa manalo. Yung mga dati namang hindi nananalo, sila nasa taas. My reading is later on, it will balance out after a few games, so magkikita lahat yan sa gitna. And we’re hoping na nandun din kami when that happens.” The post Wright’s improved numbers not enough for Guiao after another ROS loss appeared first on Philippine Basketball Association. http://j.mp/1LmFLaw
