There’s no other option
Frustration set in the locker room of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters after suffering their fourth straight setback, Wednesday evening.
Up by as much seven points with seven minutes remaining in the game against the Alaska Aces, the Elasto Painters struggled to the suddenly-locked in Aces defense as they were only allowed to put up six shot attempts in the last three minutes of the game — all contested, making none. On the other end, the Aces were more poised, eventually hijacking the game 94-89 to send Rain or Shine to the brink.
Gabe Norwood played his heart out during the game, scoring his conference-high 16 points on 5-of-11 shooting to go along with eight rebounds, three assists, and three blocks in 37 minutes of action. With their backs against the wall, the 31-year-old swingman admitted that he had no other choice but to be aggressive on both ends.
“I definitely was [aggressive]. It’s about time I had to be. There’s no other option really.
“We have to be aggressive at this point. Have to be that a little bit more and I got to involve my teammates a little bit more. I’m happy with that but I’d rather take the win,” the nine-year league veteran shared.
However, it all went for naught. It was the most painful defeat for Rain or Shine absorbed this season as it dropped them to a win-or-go-home tilt against the long-idle Blackwater Elite on Friday.
“Frustration. Man, but compared to our last games I think we played harder,” the former Defensive Player of the Year said, trying to find a silver-lining in their loss.
“We struggled to get the ball up and they did a great job. Coach Alex [Compton] has always got them playing defense and they have a great bunch of guys who work for every shot, every pass, everything. It’s just that we struggled down the stretch,” the 6-foot-6 guard added.
“We have to be smarter down the stretch and we got to get it right pretty quick. Everybody’s pretty down but, at the same time, we’re not out. That’s kind of the mentality we have right now.”
And after not making the playoffs last conference, the Rain or Shine-lifer does not want to make it two in a row.
“That’s what we live for. Games like that show how much of a pro you are.
“I hope everybody shows up and be ready to play. Try to get the win on Friday then be ready for Sunday,” he said as he tried to fathom the path they have to go through this time.
