The Manila Times

Guiao to upgrade Rain or Shine in offseason

RICHARD DY

RAIN or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao believes the upcoming long offseason is an opportune time to find the best available talents to upgrade the Elasto Painters roster for the 2023-24 PBA season.

Guiao admitted that while it’s quite an accomplishment to finally steer the franchise back to the playoffs during the Commissioner’s Cup, he has no plans of resting on that laurel, knowing that the big picture is still winning the league championship.

“I think may mga lessons learned from the two conferences,” Guiao told The Manila Times, who rejoined the Rain or Shine franchise prior to the start of the mid-season conference.

“Unang conference, I consider it an improvement kasi before that, ilang conference din ‘di pumapasok ng semis, and so I felt it was progress in the right direction.”

Rain or Shine’s Governors’ Cup campaign, however, was marked with inconsistencies made worse by the team’s inability to find the right import who could blend well with the locals.

“This conference, we struggled with our imports. Hindi kami makahanap ng right fit na import,” he said.

“But having said that, I don’t think it’s the import alone na naging problema. Admittedly, we have to upgrade our lineup.”

With the PBA’s 2023-24 season pushed back to kick off on October to give way to Gilas Pilipinas’ participation in the Southeast Asian Games, FIBA World Cup and Asian Games, Guiao said their goal now is to take advantage of the upcoming Rookie Draft and find the best available talent through trades.

“I think it’s a blessing in disguise na nag-struggle kami. Kasi it gives us a better position in the draft. So we have two first round draft picks, the one from Phoenix, sa amin din so they ‘ll figure in the top four or five,” shared the multi-titled PBA coach.

“We’re looking forward to the draft picks, and I think we can get two early picks, from where we can improve our lineup. Also, I think we have to explore ‘yung mutually beneficial trades because I think it’s fair we gave ourselves two conferences na wala kami masyadong adjustments sa lineup. But we have to admit we have to upgrade talent-wise in order to compete with the top teams so if we’re to explore trade options and then find good imports in the future, and also get early draft picks, this is a proper setup to be competitive for the next season.

“I look at this as a reset, a blessing in disguise. You don’t really want to make hasty decisions, so ‘yung mahabang offseason because of the World Cup and Asian Games, it’s also good for us.”

Sports

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2023-03-18T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-03-18T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://digitaledition.manilatimes.net/article/282132115679110

The Manila Times