For Gabe Norwood, Raymond Almazan’s absence should not affect the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, as he asserted that they all should stay professional and focus on the task at hand – which is racking up victories in the 2018 Governors’ Cup.
Rain or Shine played Wednesday versus the NorthPort Batang Pier. It marked the fourth straight game that they missed the services of Almazan, whose absence reportedly stems from a grudge towards head coach Caloy Garcia.
But even without the lanky 6-foot-8 slotman, the Elasto Painters pulled through with a 120-98 victory, thanks to the contributions they got from their reliable veterans – especially Chris Tiu, who had a career-high 23 points.
Rain or Shine have now won back-to-back games after starting the season-ending conference with four straight losses.
“We’re gonna try to do our job and be professional here and win games and take care of business,” said Norwood, the Elasto Painters’ team captain and lifer.
“Whatever management decides and coaching staff decides, it’s on them.”
Beau Belga, on the other hand, seconded Norwood’s sentiments.
“For me, hindi rason na wala si Raymond sa team. With coach Yeng [Guiao], nananalo kami na sampu lang kami. Wala pa yung mga beterano doon, wala pa yung mga superstar doon,” recalled Belga, who’s been in RoS since 2011.
“In this team, wala namang magagawa sa case ni Raymond. Wala kaming control doon. We just need to play. And survive. Hindi puwedeng i-rason na talo kami kasi wala si Raymond. No. We have good veterans,” he added.
“And, puwede kaming mag-rely sa kanila, so hindi rason si Raymond sa mga games namin.”
But that doesn’t mean that they have taken the five-year pro out of their thoughts. For Norwood, he’s hoping that Almazan – who also had a MIA case during his Letran Knights days and with Gilas Pilipinas earlier this year – is doing fine.
“At the end of the day, I hope that he’s alright and he’s doing well and he’s at peace in whatever is going on.”
