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2013 Comm. Cup Quarterfinals: #2 Rain or Shine Elasto Painters vs #7 Barangay Ginebra San Miguel
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Elimination round record:
Elimination round matches:
How they got here
The last image everyone had of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters was their rugged squad getting swept in the Finals of the All-Filipino Cup. But they quickly put those disappointments aside when the Commissioner’s Cup opened back up again.
After losing a heartbreaker to the Alaska Aces to open their season, they stuck together and racked up five straight wins, keeping in step with the Aces for first place all season.
On a team that has a 7’3 giant in import Bruno Sundov, as well as the bruising Extra Rice Inc. front court, one would expect the Elasto Painters to play at a slower pace. But on the contrary, Rain or Shine left the entire league in the dust. They led all teams in fast break points with 13 per game, and played at a pace that very few teams could keep up with.
A talented backcourt of Paul Lee and Jeff Chan teamed up with Gabe Norwood to run at every opportunity. And when they were left with halfcourt sets, that’s when Sundov came in and provided a unique mix of post moves inside, as well as a sweet stroke from outside. And he is 7’3, an instant mismatch no matter who was defending him.
All this led to nine wins in the conference with a point differential of 11.2 separating them from their foes. An impressive campaign for the boys of coach Yeng Guiao.
[Related: #2 Rain or Shine Elasto Painters vs #7 Barangay Ginebra San Miguel]
As well as the Elasto Painters played, Ginebra started the conference on the opposite side of the spectrum. They began the Commissioner's Cup with import Herbert Hill did not help, as they lacked the inside presence who could provide scoring and energy. After three games, Hill was gone.
And along came Vernon Macklin. Every game with Macklin at the center of the offense was breathtaking, as he provided the exact mean streak and interior presence desperately needed by Barangay Ginebra. He also found his soulmate on the floor in LA Tenorio, as the two helped revitalize each other’s performance on the court, which lead to Ginebra racking up six straight wins.
At the center of their campaign was the reigning MVP in Mark Caguioa. When all else failed, including Herbert Hill, he kept his squad competitive, by producing ridiculous numbers (22.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.4 steals) in every game he played in. But an unfortunate knee injury cut his campaign short, leaving his availability for the rest of the conference in doubt.
But with their leader gone, LA Tenorio responded to the call, and produced career numbers (14.0 points, 5.5 assists, 2.1 steals per game) that kept the Barangay afloat all conference. Bucking their horrible start, they enter the quarterfinals as the seventh seed, hoping to be able to find the same spark which will allow them to overcome a twice-to-beat disadvantage against Rain or Shine.
Import showdown
Perhaps no other import fits his team better than the electrifying Vernon Macklin. The difference in output between him and his predecessor is extremely striking. The switch in import revived the Barangay faithful and left them frothing at the mouth with every alley-oop slam and fastbreak jam delivered to him by Tenorio.
More importantly, he also proved that he was more than just a highlight reel. As the conference rolled along, he showed a nifty set of moves with his back to the basket, as well as dribbling into the shaded area. With averages of 24.0 points and 15 rebounds, he answered the need that Barangay Ginebra so desperately needed to address.
Sundov, on the other hand took his time getting adjusted to the speed and physicality of the PBA. Early on, he was constantly getting in foul trouble, as he made for an easy target for opposing teams to try and attack. His problems staying on the floor were a definite issue because of the impact he had on his teammates when he was in the flow of the game.
The Croatian giant is a unique import for ROS, as he was another weapon to add to the roster of sweet-shooting centers that the Elasto Painters already employed. In essence, he was a bonafide Euro Extra Rice member.
His ability to shoot the long ball (1.2 triples per game at a 41.4 percent clip) helped give Lee, Norwood and Chan more room to dribble and drive into the lane, a nightmare for defenders.
[Related: From the Stands episode 52 - previewing the quarterfinals]
The X-factor
Though he will always be noticeable when he enters the floor, Beau Belga has not had his typical conference. That tippy-toe three-pointer which he is famous for has not fallen thus far (0.43 triples made per game at a 15 percent clip). But he has made up for it by becoming the designated import stopper for the Elasto Painters this conference.
Because of his assignments, Belga has been averaging career numbers in rebounds (6.86 rebounds), and has intimidated and broken up countless plays in the paint. Expect Sundov to have his turn defending Macklin, but the speed and athleticism of V-Mack, not to mention the propensity for fouls that Sundov has will give the big fella fits.
Odds are that Belga will also have his turn defending Macklin, and the defense and toughness he can provide will go a long way to finishing off Ginebra early.
While Rain or Shine’s front court is their key, Ginebra will try to win this game by going all out with their backcourt. This was clear when they went out and acquired Barako Bull’s Josh Urbiztondo in exchange for Keith Jensen and a draft choice right before the trading deadline of the conference.
This was a huge deal, especially with Mark Caguioa not expected to return until the semifinal round, presuming BGSM make it that far. Urbiztondo will most likely team-up with Tenorio in the backcourt to play alternating roles at the point and shooting guard slots.
Make no mistake, Urbiztondo's role is to come out shooting. With averages of three triples per game in Barako, he is not gun-shy about letting it fly. And if he does make it, that frees up Macklin more down low. If he can get acquainted to Coach Alfrancis Chua’s system right away, he will be a dangerous weapon for the Barangay.
The prediction
Ginebra is definitely against the ropes in this one. With two straight losses to end the elimination round, as well as the status of their star Caguioa in doubt, there are many reasons why the Barangay could have folded early on in the conference. However, the team stuck together, embraced Chua’s team concept of a free-flowing inside-out offense, and the squad has made it all the way to the postseason.
With the acquisition of Urbiztondo as well as the legions of Barangay Ginebra faithful packing the stands and cheering them on faithfully, there might be enough to hopefully hold the fort until Caguioa comes back. Without their star though, this is definitely going to be a tough road to walk.
Rain or Shine has seen it all, and has climbed this difficult road many, many times in the past few conferences. This is a proud team that is still seeking redemption from what happened last conference. With a confident backcourt slowly getting their groove back as well as the talented Sundov in the middle, the Elasto Painters fear no team, not even the Barangay. They have answers for every matchup, and will also try to make Ginebra adjust to their style of play.
In the end, the twice–to-beat advantage that Rain or Shine earned might be too much for the embattled Gin Kings to overcome. The Elasto Painters have proven that they know what it takes to make it all the way, and they are hungry for the same success again. As long as they don’t overlook Ginebra, they should be able to march on.
My prediction is Rain or Shine in two games. - AMD, GMA News
- Rain or Shine 9-5
- Barangay Ginebra 7-7
Elimination round matches:
- March 3, 2013 Rain or Shine def. Ginebra 97-93
How they got here
The last image everyone had of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters was their rugged squad getting swept in the Finals of the All-Filipino Cup. But they quickly put those disappointments aside when the Commissioner’s Cup opened back up again.
After losing a heartbreaker to the Alaska Aces to open their season, they stuck together and racked up five straight wins, keeping in step with the Aces for first place all season.
On a team that has a 7’3 giant in import Bruno Sundov, as well as the bruising Extra Rice Inc. front court, one would expect the Elasto Painters to play at a slower pace. But on the contrary, Rain or Shine left the entire league in the dust. They led all teams in fast break points with 13 per game, and played at a pace that very few teams could keep up with.
A talented backcourt of Paul Lee and Jeff Chan teamed up with Gabe Norwood to run at every opportunity. And when they were left with halfcourt sets, that’s when Sundov came in and provided a unique mix of post moves inside, as well as a sweet stroke from outside. And he is 7’3, an instant mismatch no matter who was defending him.
All this led to nine wins in the conference with a point differential of 11.2 separating them from their foes. An impressive campaign for the boys of coach Yeng Guiao.
[Related: #2 Rain or Shine Elasto Painters vs #7 Barangay Ginebra San Miguel]
As well as the Elasto Painters played, Ginebra started the conference on the opposite side of the spectrum. They began the Commissioner's Cup with import Herbert Hill did not help, as they lacked the inside presence who could provide scoring and energy. After three games, Hill was gone.
And along came Vernon Macklin. Every game with Macklin at the center of the offense was breathtaking, as he provided the exact mean streak and interior presence desperately needed by Barangay Ginebra. He also found his soulmate on the floor in LA Tenorio, as the two helped revitalize each other’s performance on the court, which lead to Ginebra racking up six straight wins.
At the center of their campaign was the reigning MVP in Mark Caguioa. When all else failed, including Herbert Hill, he kept his squad competitive, by producing ridiculous numbers (22.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.4 steals) in every game he played in. But an unfortunate knee injury cut his campaign short, leaving his availability for the rest of the conference in doubt.
But with their leader gone, LA Tenorio responded to the call, and produced career numbers (14.0 points, 5.5 assists, 2.1 steals per game) that kept the Barangay afloat all conference. Bucking their horrible start, they enter the quarterfinals as the seventh seed, hoping to be able to find the same spark which will allow them to overcome a twice-to-beat disadvantage against Rain or Shine.
Vernon Macklin is the dynamic big man Ginebra has longed for. KC Cruz
Import showdown
Perhaps no other import fits his team better than the electrifying Vernon Macklin. The difference in output between him and his predecessor is extremely striking. The switch in import revived the Barangay faithful and left them frothing at the mouth with every alley-oop slam and fastbreak jam delivered to him by Tenorio.
More importantly, he also proved that he was more than just a highlight reel. As the conference rolled along, he showed a nifty set of moves with his back to the basket, as well as dribbling into the shaded area. With averages of 24.0 points and 15 rebounds, he answered the need that Barangay Ginebra so desperately needed to address.
Sundov, on the other hand took his time getting adjusted to the speed and physicality of the PBA. Early on, he was constantly getting in foul trouble, as he made for an easy target for opposing teams to try and attack. His problems staying on the floor were a definite issue because of the impact he had on his teammates when he was in the flow of the game.
The Croatian giant is a unique import for ROS, as he was another weapon to add to the roster of sweet-shooting centers that the Elasto Painters already employed. In essence, he was a bonafide Euro Extra Rice member.
His ability to shoot the long ball (1.2 triples per game at a 41.4 percent clip) helped give Lee, Norwood and Chan more room to dribble and drive into the lane, a nightmare for defenders.
[Related: From the Stands episode 52 - previewing the quarterfinals]
The X-factor
Though he will always be noticeable when he enters the floor, Beau Belga has not had his typical conference. That tippy-toe three-pointer which he is famous for has not fallen thus far (0.43 triples made per game at a 15 percent clip). But he has made up for it by becoming the designated import stopper for the Elasto Painters this conference.
Because of his assignments, Belga has been averaging career numbers in rebounds (6.86 rebounds), and has intimidated and broken up countless plays in the paint. Expect Sundov to have his turn defending Macklin, but the speed and athleticism of V-Mack, not to mention the propensity for fouls that Sundov has will give the big fella fits.
Odds are that Belga will also have his turn defending Macklin, and the defense and toughness he can provide will go a long way to finishing off Ginebra early.
While Rain or Shine’s front court is their key, Ginebra will try to win this game by going all out with their backcourt. This was clear when they went out and acquired Barako Bull’s Josh Urbiztondo in exchange for Keith Jensen and a draft choice right before the trading deadline of the conference.
This was a huge deal, especially with Mark Caguioa not expected to return until the semifinal round, presuming BGSM make it that far. Urbiztondo will most likely team-up with Tenorio in the backcourt to play alternating roles at the point and shooting guard slots.
Make no mistake, Urbiztondo's role is to come out shooting. With averages of three triples per game in Barako, he is not gun-shy about letting it fly. And if he does make it, that frees up Macklin more down low. If he can get acquainted to Coach Alfrancis Chua’s system right away, he will be a dangerous weapon for the Barangay.
Sophomore sensation Paul Lee is just one of many weapons Rain or Shine has at their disposal. KC Cruz
The prediction
Ginebra is definitely against the ropes in this one. With two straight losses to end the elimination round, as well as the status of their star Caguioa in doubt, there are many reasons why the Barangay could have folded early on in the conference. However, the team stuck together, embraced Chua’s team concept of a free-flowing inside-out offense, and the squad has made it all the way to the postseason.
With the acquisition of Urbiztondo as well as the legions of Barangay Ginebra faithful packing the stands and cheering them on faithfully, there might be enough to hopefully hold the fort until Caguioa comes back. Without their star though, this is definitely going to be a tough road to walk.
Rain or Shine has seen it all, and has climbed this difficult road many, many times in the past few conferences. This is a proud team that is still seeking redemption from what happened last conference. With a confident backcourt slowly getting their groove back as well as the talented Sundov in the middle, the Elasto Painters fear no team, not even the Barangay. They have answers for every matchup, and will also try to make Ginebra adjust to their style of play.
In the end, the twice–to-beat advantage that Rain or Shine earned might be too much for the embattled Gin Kings to overcome. The Elasto Painters have proven that they know what it takes to make it all the way, and they are hungry for the same success again. As long as they don’t overlook Ginebra, they should be able to march on.
My prediction is Rain or Shine in two games. - AMD, GMA News
