It’s a winning reunion between Aaron Fuller and Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao in the season-opening Governors' Cup.
Yeng Guiao made the decision to tap a former import and drafted two key pieces in a talent-laden pool in hopes of building off their semifinal run in the Philippine Cup.
So far, so good for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in their season-opening game of the PBA Governors' Cup.
“At least on our first game, everything seems to fall in place,” Guiao told reporters in the aftermath of the Rain or Shine's 110-97 win over the Blackwater Bossing to start their campaign on a winning note.
The Elasto Painters leaned on returning import Aaron Fuller, who imposed his might with a near 20-20 game of 24 points and 19 rebounds in his first game back in the PBA since 2022.
Guiao pointed out that with Fuller, who he first handled back when he was still NLEX Road Warriors head coach, it all came down to familiarity.
“I’m very familiar with the way Aaron [Fuller] plays. One reason we got him here is we know he’s a hardworker off the board, [a] high-percentage [player] around the basket, works hard on his defense and [a] high energy guy,” Guiao told reporters.
In his fourth appearance in the league, the last being with the TNT Tropang Giga in the 2022 PBA Governors’ Cup, the 34-year-old import had nothing but grateful words for Coach Yeng Guiao.
“He [Coach Yeng] really brought me as an inside presence, and I felt like I was able to contribute in that way and complement the pieces that we already had.”
Rain or Shine led by as many as 21 points and pulled away in the second half but what impressed Guiao most in their commanding win was the unselfishness of the Elasto Painters, who tallied 29 total assists.
“Our focus was just really to be able to play our game, [a] fast-paced game. We wanted the guys to feel good taking their shots when they’re open, moving the ball. I’m very happy with the way we share the ball.”
Besides Fuller, the Elasto Painters also got big-time contributions from rookies Caelan Tiongson and Felix Lemetti, who combined for 26 points in an impressive debut.
Luis Villegas also returned to action after a long layoff recuperating from an ACL injury. He finished with four points in nearly five minutes of play.
“Masaya din ako sa performances ng mga rookie namin. Caelan [Tiongson] played well [and so did] Felix [Lemetti],” Guiao said.
“For the short time that Luis [Villegas] played, I think he played well although he’s still not 100% obviously. We just wanted to give him the fall of the game.”
Rain or Shine will next face the crowd-favorite Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel in the first out-of-town game of Season 49 in Candon, Ilocos Sur.