The Painters’ Aaron Fuller (right) got a lot of attention from Hotshots defenders like Calvin Abueva. —AUGUST DELA CRUZ
At the heart of Rain or Shine’s deep campaign run thus far in the PBA Governors’ Cup is a returnee whose efforts would pale in comparison to the numbers being put up by imports on powerhouse teams.
So on the heels of a big 113-103 Game 5 win that put them in the tournament’s Final Four, coach Yeng Guiao made sure that Aaron Fuller got his flowers.
“Aaron’s value is simple. We won’t be here if not for Aaron. He carried us on his broad shoulders,” the fiery mentor said shortly after showing Magnolia at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Guiao said that Fuller, despite the stingy defense thrown at him throughout the see-saw series, managed to play his game—a testament to the impact he brings to the club.
“Magnolia’s defense was clamping down on him, double-teaming, triple-teaming, and sometimes the whole team was around him. He gets frustrated sometimes ‘cause he thinks he doesn’t get the fouls he feels he should get,” he said.
“But Aaron kept his composure. He held his emotions under check. And he’s a silent leader. He doesn’t talk much, but his actions speak for himself. He works hard.”
Finest scorer
Fuller has been the finest scorer for Rain or Shine throughout the best-of-three showdown. He suffered an early exit in Game 2 in Laguna but put up a gallant return in a thrilling Game 3 overtime win that put the young squad in control of the series at one point.
He was big again on Saturday night, his two-way performance of 26 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and two steals helping send the Elasto Painters into the semifinals where powerhouse and defending champion TNT await.
A Guiao guy during the champion coach’s stint at NLEX, Fuller insisted that it was the team’s zest and the coaching staff’s brilliance that pulled them through the Hotshots, the league’s perennial bridesmaids.
“It was just a battle. It just shows how much heart our team has. We did a great job coming up with a defensive game plan for today’s game and we came out and left it all on the court,” the American forward said. “I’m just really proud of our guys.” INQ