The Elasto Painters will look to gain experience from the tournament.
The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters will be busy for the next few months in preparation for the upcoming PBA season.
Part of their preparations will be a stint at the William Jones Cup, which will be making a grand return after being cancelled the past three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
But for those wondering how Rain or Shine got the call up for the tournament, coach Yeng Guiao shared some details during his interview with Noli Eala in Radyo5's Power and Play.
“Napaka-bilis ng mga pangyayari. Ang alam ko, kami ay na-invite,” said Guiao. “Wala kaming idea. Basta bumagsak lang yan sa lap namin.”
Guiao later explained that the team’s alternate governor, Edison Oribiana, was the one contacted by the Jones Cup organizers. They later asked permission from the PBA, which Commissioner Wilie Marcial accepted.
“Sabi namin, available kami and willing kami, so sabi niya [Marcial] sige, kayo nalang. And after that, actually, meron pa yatang humahabol na mga ibang teams din, pero naunahan na [namin],” said Guiao.
The Jones Cup is slated on August 12–20, 2023 in Chinese Taipei.
Rain or Shine has since tapped Gilas Pilipinas big man Ange Kouame to be their naturalized player for the tournament.
Even star guard Rey Nambatac has shared his excitement on representing the country at the Jones Cup.
As they go up against perennial foes in the region, Guiao admitted that it’ll be a tough tournament for the Elasto Painters, but they will nonetheless use it to gain more experience, especially for their young and talented core.
“Gusto namin na matuto, ma-experience nung mga locals namin kasi 'yung locals namin mga bata eh. Gusto namin na makita nila gaano katindi ang competition dito,” said Guiao.
The competition promises to be tough, and it will only benefit the young, rebuilding Rain or Shine squad.
(MDB)