The only question that lingers whenever the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters make it to the championship round of a PBA conference is “What’s next?”
Will they win it all this time or just add to a collection of bridesmaid-but-never-the-bride finishes?
Arguably the most consistent team the league has seen in the past four years, the Elasto Painters have been in the semifinals for nine straight conferences.
The Elasto Painters made it to three championship series in that stretch, but failed to notch a single PBA crown. They were bested by the San Mig Coffee Mixers twice in the 2013-14 season where the Mixers clinched a rare grand slam, before falling to the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters in heartbreaking fashion in last season’s Commissioner’s Cup, 4-3.
The team had always been close to coveting a PBA championship, yet winning an actual crown had been so elusive to the powerhouse franchise.
This conference, the team is once again in the finals. And despite the recent slew of runner-up finishes, the Elasto Painters would like to think this conference will have a different ending–one that’s more fulfilling and satisfying.
“Pagod na kami sa runner-up eh. Sana naman. Yung pako sabi ko nga, sana matanggal na. Mag-fofour years na kaming lagi lang nasa semis and finals. Maiba naman. Sana, kailangan pagtrabahuhan. Wala nang madali sa PBA ngayon,” Beau Belga said.
Rain or Shine has ousted San Miguel Beer, the team considered by many as the team to beat, in the semi-finals, finally getting the better of the same team which eliminated them in the previous two conferences.
Jeff Chan is in the best shooting stretch of his PBA career, making 38 percent of his attempt from deep–higher than any percentage from long distance he has tallied in the past seasons.
Jeff Chan (PBA Images)
Rain or Shine then added reinforcement Pierre Henderson-Niles (12 PPG, 11.4 RPG)A the post presence the squad had been missing for quite a long time. The squad has gone 6-1 with Henderson-Niles providing damage on both ends of the floor.
Paul Lee is slowly returning his lethal form; and the team has a solid crew of youngsters which includes Jericho Cruz and Maverick Ahanmisi, among others.
The way the stars are aligning for the Elasto Painters, you can’t blame them for thinking that way. The chance they have this conference of winning it all is way better than the chances they’ve had in their previous three finals appearances.
“Now I think may chance kami. Lalo na import namin, malaking tulong talaga. Yun ang missing link namin ever since. Hopefully magtuloy-tuloy lang, maging consistent kaming lahat,” Chan said. “Nalampasan namin sila after three fights. So no let up kami ngayon, sana magtuloy-tuloy.”
“I like to think (it is as close as it gets),” Gabe Norwood said on Rain or Shine’s chances.
Gabe Norwood (PBA Images)
“I feel beating a team like San Miguel gives us confidence. Pierre is huge for us, just his presence. We don’t really have go dump it down to him too much and he gives us all the freedom to do our things.”
A year removed from ultimately falling short of winning the 2015 Commissioner’s Cup, the Elasto Painters are back with more maturity and cohesiveness. They remains one of the most loaded from top to bottom, and the team hopes to take advantage.
“We got better. May mga dumagdag. We have Maverick who helps a lot. And P who is a big factor. He does not score but his presence is a big help. We (had) a big to limit (June Mar) Fajardo,” Cruz shared.
“We just have to keep working hard para yun nga, makuha namin yung championship ngayon.”
Norwood is right. It does not get any closer than this for the Elasto Painters, and it is up to the squad to write its own history and avoid just being a statistic again to another team’s success.
“We will enjoy it even if it is tiring,” Belga added. “It is always a good chance every time nasa finals ka. Kasi it is hard to be in the finals. You have 12 teams na competitive.”
“Nasa finals ka na, you have a good chance and it is up to us to finish the job. Sabi ni coach, ‘sa finals, wala nang adjustments masyado.’ Kung sino na lang gusto manalo.”
