There is also a possibility he would be Rain or Shine’s reinforcement for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Turns out, Ange Kouame is not Rain or Shine Elasto Painters’ lone reinforcement in the 42nd William Jones Cup.
This after coach Yeng Guiao bared the team tapped another import in Nick Evans in Tuesday’s PSA Forum. Evans is expected to join the team on Monday.
Guiao said they felt the need to bring in Evans upon realizing the competition will be extra tough with Iran, Qatar, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates fielding in their respective national teams.
“Nakita namin ‘yung lineup, medyo malakas competiton, so management decided to bring in another import,” said Guiao, whose team was invited by the organizers to join the regional tourney.
Evans, who had stops in Lebanon and Japan, seems tailor-fit for the fast-paced Rain or Shine squad.
“He’s a versatile player. He can play around the basket. Alam mo naman hinahanap ko talaga ‘yung medyo flexible, he can play around the basket, he can shoot threes, he’s quick,” he said of the 6-foot-10 player who went undrafted in the 2012 NBA Draft.
“Ang ginagawa kasi namin sa team namin ngayon pinapabilis namin pace ng laro. So kung sino mang import namin kaya kaming sabayan sa takbuhan.”
There is also a possibility Evans would be Rain or Shine’s reinforcement for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup in October—well, provided he makes the height limit of 6-foot-10.
“Listed siya (sa iba na) 6-11, may 6-10 din. Pero alam naman natin na pag mine-measure dito, lumiliit ‘yung player. Pagdating niya, that’s the first thing we will do, we will measure him so we’ll know kung pwede siya next conference,” the firebrand mentor said.
The Elasto Painters are looking to retain the Jones Cup crown. Another Philippine team last won it in 2019 before the pandemic put the tourney to a halt.
“Ang mahirap dito, may pressure, kasi ‘yung previous team natin nag-champion. Kaya lang lima yata imports nila,” said Guiao, referring to the import-riddled Mighty Sports.
“Sa atin organic lang. Si Ange naturalized na, tapos isang import. Malaking difference between five imports but nonetheless, titignan natin baka makapag-compete tayo.”
Jones Cup kicks off on August 12 in Taiwan.
(GM)