Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines — Rain or Shine hopes to re-establish its identity as one of the toughest defensive teams in the league after taking its first loss of the season.
“Entering the bubble, most are not in game shape, so the advantage is to play hard-nosed defense because there are players, whose play are just going to pick up and regain their shooting,” said Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia, whose squad aims to bounce back against Blackwater on Sunday.
The Painters lost that defensive edge when they dropped an 89-88 decision to the Alaska Aces.
Despite the loss, Rain or Shine remains among the top teams this conference with a 3-1 card.
Garcia also said veteran big man Beau Belga is a big factor in Rain or Shine’s strong start.
“Beau is carrying the team, with him being very vocal and having a different attitude inside the bubble,” said Garcia.
“It’s like he wants to be a leader right now, and everybody’s responding and doing their roles.”