Looking to revive PBA career, RR Garcia works out for Rain or Shine

FILE – RR Garcia runs point for TNT. His contract with the KaTropa expired last August 30.

MANILA, Philippines–PBA champion RR Garcia may have gained a new lease on basketball life with Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.

The 29-year-old guard finally saw action on Thursday after being inactive for nearly nine months, playing for the Painters in a tune-up game against Phoenix Fuel which the former won, 103-90, at Upper Deck in Pasig.

“Nothing’s certain yet,” Garcia, who scored three points in the scrimmage, said in Filipino. “I’m just joining them because coach Caloy (Garcia) invited me over.”

“I’m just thankful for the opportunity. Hopefully, I’m given a chance to play again.”

Garcia, the sixth pick in the 2013 PBA Draft, last played for TNT KaTropa. He was a member of the San Miguel Beermen that went on to win the 2017 Philippine Cup.

RR Garcia now repping @RoSEPainters. His contract with @tntkatropa_ph expired last Aug. 30. Details later.

ROS & PHX now in a tuneup game here @ Upper Deck in Pasig.

Matthew Wright playing his first organized ball since hurting himself during #Gilas practice. | @sonrdINQ pic.twitter.com/ffBVEiVIQC

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) September 5, 2019

“I actually feel like a rookie,” he said in jest. “This is my first time to play a PBA practice game. I’ve been [shelved] for months.

Garcia, like his former KaTropa teammate Jericho Cruz, was reportedly put into the inactive list without explanation.

But that seems to be a thing of past for Garcia, whose contract with TNT expired on Aug. 30. He also got an invitation to train with Phoenix Fuel.

“I still haven’t signed anything, so I’m not aware of any plans for me. I’m just waiting for their decision,” he said.

The Painters’ deputy, Chris Gavina, said he was highly impressed of Garcia, “considering no one has seen him [nearly] a year or so.”

“For him to keep himself in shape and still stay sharp? I think his aggressiveness will come back the more minutes he gets. Hopefully, he can be a real great asset for us.”

“He has such great instincts out there. [He also has] playmaking as well as leadership abilities,“ said Gavina, who was calling the shots in behalf of Garcia, who is currently serving Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA World Cup in China.

Gavina said that the team is still evaluating the crafty guard and will likely make a decision when Garcia is able to observe him in future tune-up games.