EXPECT a fast-paced, run-and-gun type of game when Blackwater and Rain or Shine open up their campaign in the PBA Season 49-opening Governors' Cup Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Bossing and Elasto Painters, each armed with some fresh legs, are out to get the much-needed win that gives them momentum going to the rest of their Group B assignments which has them playing their five groupmates twice for a total of 10 eliminations games.
Both are also out to vent the tension that has built up during the pre-season while eager to find out whether the moves they have made after the last Philippine Cup are the right ones.
"Looking forward to this conference. Excited, happy, maganda 'yung feeling ng mga boys. They've been practicing hard, practicing well, maganda naman performance namin sa mga tune-up games," related Blackwater coach Jeff Cariaso.
"Sana mag-carry over sa actual games."
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The same hope was expressed by Yeng Guiao, whose Rain or Shine squad played two tune-up games after topping the four-team Kadayawan Festival pocket tournament in Davao.
"We're very happy with our pre-season preparations," said Guiao. "We feel we've been upgraded with our materials, our lineup, mas maganda from the last conference."
The grizzled tactician specifically cited Calen Tiongson and Felix Lemetti, who were tabbed at seventh and eighth, respectively, in the last Rookie Draft, as well as 2023 No. 3 overall pick Luis Villegas finally seeing action after sitting out the entire last season due to injury.
"Very happy with our rookies. We've seen what they can do in practice," said Guiao. "We did not think that they could blend in really quick. But so far, they've been blending well with the (other) guys.
"Medyo tingin ko na-emphasize pa 'yung style of play namin, which is quick transition, fast paced, three-point shooting, ball movement. Just being aggressive and being high-octane. Tingin ko we've designed our personnel and our style towards that direction."
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Cariaso knows exactly what is needed for his Bossing to at least keep in step with the E-Painters. "Rain or Shine is very quick, lalo pa silang nag-improve coming from the draft so I think we have to be prepared for their running game," he stressed.
"Hindi p'wede kaming mabagal, Kung medyo mabagal, medyo slow sa reaction, wala, maiiwanan tayo."
Apart from draft picks Sedrick Barefield, DJ Mitchell and Miguel Corteza, Blackwater also got Kib Montalbo and Jewel Ponferrada through trades to go with prolific import Ricky Ledo and holdovers led by Troy Rosario, Rey Suerte, Justin Chua and James Yap.
Aside from its rookies, Rain or Shine is also set to rely most on the seasoned Beau Belga, Santi Santillan, Jhonard Clarito, Gian Mamuyac and Andrei Caracut, as well as balik-import Aaron Fuller. (NC)
