Guiao hints at player changes, but intent on keeping RoS core

Yeng Guiao. PBA Images

Rain or Shine, a team averse to change, could undergo a major shakeup this offseason.

Elasto Painters head coach Yeng Guiao, a believer in continuity, said he is “open” for some player changes given that the moves the franchise would make would be for its improvement.

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“Traditionally with our team, we try to limit changes to very limited changes,” Guiao told reporters after his team was shown the door by the San Miguel Beermen in Game 4 of the semifinals. “But I think it will really depend on who is available. I’m open.”

“We will not resist those changes as long as those changes are going to improve the team,” he added.

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Guiao said Rain or Shine is in need of a big man–someone who can help the Painters matchup well with teams like the Beermen, who has the most dominant player in the league today in the 6-foot-10 June Mar Fajardo.

Rain or Shine’s weakness in the middle was exposed by San Miguel Beer in the semifinals with Fajardo having his way against the Painters’ depleted and undersized frontline with Beau Belga missing two games in the semifinals with a hurting right foot and Jervy Cruz sidelined the entire series with a left toe injury.

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Guiao cited the coming draft next month as one way to address his team’s concern at the center position.

“I think the draft will count a lot for us at No.3. We could probably still get a quality player,” he said. “Of course, we’re still looking for a big man which was also emphasized today because we really had a hard time defending Fajardo.”

Another way is through free agency or via trade which Guiao said he’s willing to try.

“The best thing we can do is look forward to the future, look forward to the draft, look forward to other available talents because there is going to be a lot of movements in the offseason,” Guiao said. “We wanna be involved. We wanna be looking out to anything that can improve the team.”

While Guiao is keen on finding new players that will suit Rain or Shine’s needs, keeping a familiar face is also a priority.

The Painters have five players with expiring contracts and their best shooter Jeff Chan is one of them.

Chan is a key part in what Rain or Shine has been doing for the past several years including the franchise’s first championship in the 2012 Governors’ Cup. And Guiao stressed on keeping the team’s core.

“He’s part of the core and he is a priority,” Guiao said, signifying Rain or Shine’s intent of signing Chan back.

Despite being open to some changes, Guiao insists that he remains the same.

“But I’m still the same. To me, investing in togetherness is always good, investing in the chemistry of the team is always good.”