Rain or Shine headed to Bahrain to bolster buildup for new PBA season

MANILA, Philippines—Rain or Shine is heading overseas to beef up its preparation for the coming 2019 PBA season.

The Elasto Painters are set to fly to Bahrain to take on clubs Al Muharraq and Al Manama, the finalists of the Bahraini Premier League, in a couple of exhibition games on January 3 and 4.

Al Manama has former PBA import Wayne Chism as its naturalized player while Al Muharraq has former De La Salle Green Archer Bader Malabes.

Rain or Shine head coach Caloy Garcia said their trip to Bahrain is a good boost to their preparations even if Gabe Norwood, Jay Washington, and Maverick Ahanmisi won’t be able to join them.

“This will be good for us because we can see what the other guys can bring,” said Garcia after their 102-90 loss to NorthPort in a tune-up game Saturday at Green Meadows Clubhouse.

Norwood, Washington, and Ahanmisi are all in the United States spending the holidays and won’t be able to join the team in Bahrain since all we’ll be back in the Philippines on the third of January.

“As of now we’re working with whoever is with us and I hope that when the three guys come back they’ll be able to quickly pick up the new offensive system,” said Garcia whose team will fly to Bahrain on Jan. 2 and go back to the Philippines on the sixth.

Assistant coach Mike Buendia said the trip to Bahrain is not just part of the team’s preparation for the upcoming season but also as a treat for overseas Filipino workers who weren’t able to spend time with their families during the holidays.

“This is also for the Filipinos there, sort of like a treat and to bring them some joy,” said Buendia in Filipino.