(From Business World)
Going into this year’s season-ending Philippine Basketball Association Fiesta Conference, a lot was expected from the Rain or Shine Elastopainters. Following their breakthrough showing in the same tourney last year en route to a franchise-first top-four finish, the paint masters were deemed to elevate some more.
Halfway into the ongoing Fiesta however, Rain or Shine has yet to soar as expected. In eight games to date, the team has only a .500 record of 4-4 to show for.
But while the Elastopainters are somehow off the pace pundits have set for them, they are not exactly condemned to doom. Rather this writer would like to believe that the team is just priming and ready to make a go at it when it finds its footing.
I say so because despite its seeming "underachievement" Rain or Shine is not necessarily doing bad. It is posting steady numbers on both ends, enabling it to compete with the rest of the field with effectivity. Offensively, the Elastopainters are good for 91.1 points a game while at the same time limiting their opponents to just 90 points, showing a team that has a say on the tempo of matches each time.
Rain or Shine’s average losing deficit of 5.25 points, meanwhile, is a reflection of the team’s ability to stay in games, made all the more impressive by the fact that new faces fleck its roster.
Then there is the presence of a quality import in Jai Lewis. While the burly Lewis is not generating much buzz as he did last year in his first tour of duty in the PBA, still he is as effective as ever. His numbers of 18.9 ppg and 14.3 rpg have been sufficient to buoy Rain or Shine’s campaign, early struggles notwithstanding. More than the stats though, one thing going for Lewis is he has the confidence and trust of his teammates which has allowed for a more "harmonious" team dynamics, something other teams are still looking for at this stage.
Also making this writer bullish about Rain or Shine is the steady improvement of its players, in particular All-Star Gabe Norwood and Jay-R Reyes. Long known for their defensive prowess, the duo is showing much confidence on offense which has given the Elastopainters’ attack more flexibility. Currently gunning 13.4 and 11.2 points, respectively, Norwood and Reyes are proving to be steady offensive options for the team, in add-on to Lewis and Sol Mercado (17.1 ppg), which will be huge as they go deep in the tournament.
While Rain or Shine may not be creating much ripple just yet, observers should know better than overlooking them. The Elastopainters have a lot going for them and it could only be a matter of time when they start displaying their full strength.
Going into this year’s season-ending Philippine Basketball Association Fiesta Conference, a lot was expected from the Rain or Shine Elastopainters. Following their breakthrough showing in the same tourney last year en route to a franchise-first top-four finish, the paint masters were deemed to elevate some more.
Halfway into the ongoing Fiesta however, Rain or Shine has yet to soar as expected. In eight games to date, the team has only a .500 record of 4-4 to show for.
But while the Elastopainters are somehow off the pace pundits have set for them, they are not exactly condemned to doom. Rather this writer would like to believe that the team is just priming and ready to make a go at it when it finds its footing.
I say so because despite its seeming "underachievement" Rain or Shine is not necessarily doing bad. It is posting steady numbers on both ends, enabling it to compete with the rest of the field with effectivity. Offensively, the Elastopainters are good for 91.1 points a game while at the same time limiting their opponents to just 90 points, showing a team that has a say on the tempo of matches each time.
Rain or Shine’s average losing deficit of 5.25 points, meanwhile, is a reflection of the team’s ability to stay in games, made all the more impressive by the fact that new faces fleck its roster.
Then there is the presence of a quality import in Jai Lewis. While the burly Lewis is not generating much buzz as he did last year in his first tour of duty in the PBA, still he is as effective as ever. His numbers of 18.9 ppg and 14.3 rpg have been sufficient to buoy Rain or Shine’s campaign, early struggles notwithstanding. More than the stats though, one thing going for Lewis is he has the confidence and trust of his teammates which has allowed for a more "harmonious" team dynamics, something other teams are still looking for at this stage.
Also making this writer bullish about Rain or Shine is the steady improvement of its players, in particular All-Star Gabe Norwood and Jay-R Reyes. Long known for their defensive prowess, the duo is showing much confidence on offense which has given the Elastopainters’ attack more flexibility. Currently gunning 13.4 and 11.2 points, respectively, Norwood and Reyes are proving to be steady offensive options for the team, in add-on to Lewis and Sol Mercado (17.1 ppg), which will be huge as they go deep in the tournament.
While Rain or Shine may not be creating much ripple just yet, observers should know better than overlooking them. The Elastopainters have a lot going for them and it could only be a matter of time when they start displaying their full strength.
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