Veteran players James Yap and Jay Washington are now beginning to get into the mix in terms of learning the Rain or Shine system.
A now healthier Yap is beginning to play more comfortably in his new role with the Elasto Painters and is more willing to embrace the team’s philosophy.
Dating miyembro ng Elasto Painters sa PBL sina Yap at Washington na kapwa ring nanalo ng kampeonato sa PBL kaya di na magiging mahirap para sa kanila ang mag-adjust.
“Masasabi ko mga 85-90 percent na naming gamay yung ginagawa sa sistema. Kasi minsan nawawala pa ako sa play. Getting there. Every practice naka-focus ako kung ano man yung mga kulang,” Yap told pba.ph.
After helping the Elasto Painters to an early win in their first game this conference, Yap continued to play solid.
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But while Yap remained steady, Washington stepped up big, particularly in the endgame.
Washington had two triples and a block during that crucial stretch that punctuated the Elasto Painters’ third win in as many games to climb into a share of the lead with the Meralco Bolts.
“It was a pretty good timing coming into the game,” added Washington. “I didn’t play a lot of minutes, but the minutes I was out there were good enough to help the team win.”
Yap and Washington, though, both agreed that the early success the team is having right now is a good indication that the Elasto Painters are learning the lessons from their previous setback. Last conference, the team had a good run, taking a 5-2 win-loss card before losing to San Miguel Beer in overtime of their elimination match.
Since then, Rain or Shine had to drag itself to a knockout game against Blackwater and the Elasto Painters ended their campaign losing four of their last five games.
Pero para kay Yap at Washington, desidido silang huwag nang maulit ang mapait na karanasan.
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“Natuto na kami,” said Yap.
Washington considered last conference’s experience as an eye opener.
“That really was a smack in the face,” added Washington. “Starting from that San Miguel game, it kinda snowballed from there. I think it really caught us by surprise how fast it happened, losing four of our last five. Basically, about a week and a half, we were in the top two, then all the way down to eighth place. This thing happens in a conference. It’s a learning experience, for Coach Caloy (Garcia) being the new head coach and the new guys on the team. Anybody in the team wanted us to be in a good position last conference, but we’ve learned from it. Hopefully, it won’t happen again.”
Andrei Villanueva
