GUIAO FLOATS ALL-GUARD LINEUP FOR ROS AFTER LOSING DATU TO INJURY

RAIN or Shine coach Yeng Guiao admitted the loss of Keith Datu is a big blow to an Elasto Painters team already dealing with a lot of injuries to its frontcourt this conference.

Guiao said games will be a lot tougher for RoS in the coming weeks with Datu sidelined for the year due to a raptured patellar tendon - another big man out this early in the PBA 50th Season.

READ: Keith Datu out for rest of season due to ruptured patellar tendon

Caelan Tiongson is still not 100-percent no thanks to a hamstring injury, while Beau Belga’s minutes are being managed early in the Philippine Cup.

"Mahirap kasi na mina-manage namin ‘yung minutes ni Beau, tapos si Keith nagkaproblema, si Caelan na-injure din. Baka puro guwardiya nalang laruin namin kapag ganun," said Guiao.

"We will have to find ways. It’s a good thing na ngayon nangyari, we are going to have time to figure something out in the next few weeks siguro."

The absence of a big man was already showing in the Elasto Painters' 91-80 win over Phoenix where even Gabe Norwood was tasked to guard the Fuel Masters’ frontcourt led by Jason Perkins, who had 17 points and seven rebounds.

"We had some problems containing Jason Perkins for a stretch. He was just heading his way in the middle because kulang kami sa malaki. ‘Yung laki ng katawan ni Gabe, ‘yun na lang pinanglalaban namin dun sa katawan ni Perkins. But it paid off," said Guiao.

Nothing easy for Rain or Shine

The loss of Datu comes as Rain or Shine has been sweating it out to claim victories as of late, and Guiao hopes that coming games would be a different story.

Ever since losing to San Miguel last October 19, they won victories in close fashion starting last October 26 when they salvaged a 112-111 win over Titan Ultra when Anton Asistio drained all four free throws after being fouled by Joshua Munzon in the final seconds.

The Elasto Painters then beat Phoenix on Wednesday, but it was generally a closely-fought match until they pulled away with Gian Mamuyac and Asistio going on the offensive.

"Ganun na lang parati, parang finding ways na lang to win," said Guiao after their victory vs. the Fuel Masters.

"Not really happy with the way we played especially in the first half. We really had problems with rebounding. They’re (Phoenix) a lot bigger team than we are. Plus, nawala pa si Keith. Caelan's still not available... Hindi namin siya masdayong pinupuwersa. So kulang talaga kami sa bigs, manpower namin."

"We are struggling, but we are still here. We’re still finding ways to win."

From the looks of things, RoS will have to work hard for another win in its next game, as the Elasto Painters battle NLEX on Saturday at the Ynares Center-Antipolo.

The Road Warriors are among the teams in the top half of the standings with a 4-2 record, and are aiming to bounce back from their blowout 104-74 loss to Barangay Ginebra last Sunday.

"It’s the character. It’s the toughness. We’re getting used to finding ways to win, but I would rather win ‘yung medyo maluwag-luwag, hindi masyadong nahihirapan," Guiao added.

"Again, the score (against Phoenix) does not reflect the closeness of the game. If you look at the score, it’s a double-digit lead, but it’s a lot closer than that."

2025-11-08T00:15:09Z