Rain or Shine Elastopainters. PBA IMAGES
Streaks are bound to end at some point, but Gabe Norwood wished there could’ve been a better timing for Rain or Shine’s run to hit a wall than on Wednesday night.
The Elasto Painters are the league’s model of consistency having made the playoffs the past 12 conferences, including nine consecutive semifinals appearances.
But Rain or Shine’s string of successful campaigns came to a crashing end after getting the boot following a disappointing 105-94 loss to Phoenix for the right to claim to the last quarterfinals ticket.
READ: Phoenix ousts Rain or Shine as Phelps drops 40
“It’s been extremely tough. In all aspects, it’s been frustrating,” Norwood told reporters. “Just never really found a rhythm which you thought would come naturally after winning a championship—just step right back on the court and pick up where you left off. Just never really happened for us.”
“We cant doubt the guys’ efforts. Everybody came out and tried their best to contribute and get wins, but this is tough league there’s no easy game.”
Yet, despite Rain or Shine’s troubles, it still had a shot to make the playoffs. But even in their last straw, the Painters couldn’t get it done.
READ: ROS character put to test in face of elimination
“Hats off to Phoenix. They came out and played a great game not just Eugene Phelps. Josh came out and played great, everybody came out and played great. We didn’t match that tonight and now we’re heading home,” he added. “Not a familiar territory. I think this I just the second time in my career not making the playoffs so it’s frustrating.”
Rain or Shine approached the conference with high hopes after coming off a title run in the Commissioner’s Cup. The Painters didn’t have the kind of start they wanted, but just like in the previous conferences where they managed to recover from early struggles, the team thought at one point it will hit its stride and make another deep run.
Only to find out that this time wasn’t like before.
“We have high expectations for ourselves, individually and as a team and we didn’t meet any of those. And that’s the frustrating part. Knowing that we’re capable proven champions and we came out the way we did is just very, very frustrating,” the veteran captain admitted.
“All good things must come to an end. That’s a true statement. It wasn’t gonna go on forever but we didn’t want it to be right now though. We got a good group of guys from the coaching staff to the players, the management, we just came up short in all aspects.”