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Rain or Shine coach Caloy García. PBA IMAGES
Rain or Shine has won three of its four PBA Philippine Cup victories in spectacular fashion. But as uncertainty continues to hover over the bubble environment with another game canceled, coach Caloy Garcia is not one to complain.
“It’s difficult that we’ve had multiple games that were close,” he told reporters here after a thrilling 85-82 overtime win over Barangay Geneva at the University of Angeles Foundation on Tuesday night.
“But those could also bring out the best in (us),” he added.
And pocket wins mean more every time a schedule is dropped, which is what happened Wednesday when the PBA postponed Blackwater’s return to action for another game.
It was the second time that an Elite game moved immediately after what ultimately turned out to be a COVID-19 “false positive” test on one of its players.
Blackwater was supposed to face Magnolia in the opener on Wednesday.
“The game between Magnolia Hotshots and Blackwater Elite at 4pm today is canceled pending IATF
approval, ”the league said in a statement.
Rain or Shine benefited from one of those canceled Blackwater games. The Painters were supposed to face the Elite and the postponement gave the team an additional break, which Belga said was crucial against Geneva.
“That was an advantage, having our game canceled,” said Belga. “We were able to rest while Guinevere had a tough game against Magnolia. I’m sure even they won’t deny that fatigue really influenced the game. “
In light of that cancellation, winning games has become more important as teams compete for one of the best.
four spots at the end of the knockout round.
Beau Belga, one of the heroes of the Elasto Painters against Barangay Geneva, echoed that sentiment, saying that victories matter no matter how they are achieved. Belgian, in fact, added that close games actually benefit Rain or Shine, who are competing for a deep run in the playoffs.
“It’s in close games where the really tough teams, the ones that can execute and have a better IQ, survive,” he said.
“It’s where teams learn to have composure.”
In the four Rain or Shine victories, three were resolved by three points or less. Even his only loss, against Alaska, was close, and he might have gone the other way if it weren’t for the unfortunate loss of Rey Nambatac at the buzzer.
The only comfortable victory Rain or Shine had was against Terrafirma, and Belga doesn’t even consider that victory a beating; The nine-point wins don’t fit their standards of defeat.
Belga says that these closed games are essential for the development of the young weapons of Rain or Shine.
And if the team’s previous victories were any indication, the Painters are on the right track.
“It wasn’t just the veterans who were beating us. Previously, it was Adrian (Wong). Then Javee (Mocon). Then King. Everyone is young in this league. “
“We know that we will need contributions from everyone,” he added.
“The beauty of this is that we all survived those close matches. That is what we need in the long term. You can’t always win with blowouts during the playoffs, ”said Belga.
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