AS a team, Rain or Shine has been a consistent fixture in the PBA playoffs, but as a coach, Chris Gavina has not yet tasted a semifinals berth in the league

So, when the Elasto Painters begins their campaign in the PBA Governors’ Cup on December 8, the team’s primary goal is to finish in the top four at the end of the elimination round and, eventually, make it to the semifinal round.

To do this, Gavina and the Elasto Painters need to address the flaws they experienced in the previous Philippine Cup.

“Right now, we’re really focused on the details of being sound and tough-minded in order to minimize our mistakes, which would put you in better opportunities to win games. With our inconsistencies on the offensive end, those moments for our young guys to grow, moments of being novice players, are normal,” Gavina told The Manila Times on Saturday.

”It’s something they have to go through. You can’t fast track experience. You need to go through some growing pains.”

Gavina, who replaced head coach Caloy Garcia before the start of the ongoing season, gave limited but quality minutes to his rookies Santi Santillan, Anton Asistio and Andrei Caracut who all contributed in the Philippine Cup.

Asistio averaged 6.29 points while Santillan produced 6.09 points and four rebounds per outing. Caracut has averaged close to four points per game.

The newcomers, according to Gavina, will play key roles in providing the much needed help for the team’s veterans.

Much of the load, however, will be put on the shoulders of returning reinforcement Henry Walker, a former player of the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat and in his fifth tour of duty in the PBA.Gavina is confident the 34-year-old reinforcement can carry the team to the Final Four.

“Having a guy like Walker, I believe will boost their confidence better. We have somebody who can close out a game and put it on his shoulders when needed.

You have such a high-caliber import that can match the other imports. We know the level of competition coming in. Our guys’ confidence level will be sky high when the tournament starts in a few days,” said Gavina.

For Gavina, getting everybody on the same page is important. Veterans like Beau Belga and Gabe Norwood, as well as the young players, must understand that they need to rely on everybody, not anybody, to get the job done.

“You can’t really say we’re guaranteeing ourselves. I can’t say that. We are putting ourselves in a position to make that next step.

Right now, my primary goal is to get everybody on the same page in regards to making sure the details, the execution, the tenacity that it takes to build a quality team. You can’t just sleep on anybody in the PBA on any given night — from Blackwater to recent champion TNT,” said Gavina.

“Everyone has world-class imports. The level of confidence of everybody increases. It’s anybody’s ball game.

Our mindset is trusting our work, showcasing it, especially on the defensive end.

That would help Henry and making sure we’re in a position to win if our guys have done their job.”