Denzel Bowles on Wednesday left the SMART Araneta Coliseum visibly frustrated, so much so that the former Best Import respectfully declined to grant interviews from reporters.
Well, he had enough reason to feel that way. His Rain or Shine Elasto Painters just got blasted by Terrence Jones and the TNT KaTropa, 81-102, in 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup action.
Elasto Painters head coach Caloy Garcia, meanwhile, understands where Bowles’ frustration stems from.
“He’s trying to get the locals involved but they can’t make their shots. I feel how he feels,” said Garcia, as Bowles finished with 28 points, eight rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks.
The locals could not really hit the mark against TNT. And when the dust settled, only one Elasto Painter aside from Bowles finished in double figures, which was Javee Mocon with 19 points.
The outspoken mentor lamented his locals’ inconsistency this conference, falling to 3-5.
“Medyo nakaka-frustrate seeing your import do his best but the locals are not really playing consistently.
“You see them play good one game and off the next,” Garcia stressed.
“It’s about playing consistently. Yun lang naman,” added the third-year Elasto Painters chief tactician.
RoS has three games left in the eliminations, which will tell their fate for the playoffs. It would be a tough stretch, as they will face Alaska Aces, Magnolia Hotshots, and San Miguel Beermen.
But Garcia isn’t losing hope.
“We’re playing three good teams Alaska, Magnolia, and San Miguel. We’re hoping that we can at least two wins out of three. I told them na naniniwala ako na pupuwede pang mangyari yun eh.”
