Career game from the young gun, plus season-high from the veteran tow Rain or Shine to second win.
With their import, Greg Smith II, not cleared to play by FIBA, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters needed their locals to step up against the Terrafirma Dyip on Thursday.
They most definitely did, and leading the way were two players averaging a combined 5.8 points—Gabe Norwood, one of Rain or Shine’s older veterans, and Andrei Caracut, among the team’s younger weapons.
Caracut, who was averaging a measly 2.3 points in Rain or Shine’s first six games, was spectacular against Terrafirma. The 27-year-old guard scored the Elasto Painters’ first 11 points on his way to a career-high 25 points highlighted by 6-for-8 shooting from beyond the arc.
“Sabi ko ako muna 'yung import,” said Caracut post-game when asked about his big game, eliciting a wry smile from coach Yeng Guiao. Turning serious, Rain or Shine’s 23rd overall pick in the 2021 PBA Draft credited the entire Elasto Painters squad, whom he said locked in after learning about Smith’s situation.
“It’s a collective effort. Lahat naman player of the game, halos lahat nag-contribute,” Caracut added. “Nung nalaman namin na wala si Greg, 'yung focus nakita ko sa mga teammates ko, and good thing nanalo kami.”
It was exactly what Guiao was hoping given Smith’s absence.
“The talk in the dugout was everybody make a contribution, step up, everyone make an effort,” Guiao said. “We feel good about our locals, especially for running our system, for putting out the effort on defense. Naramdaman ko rin na the guys were determined to win even without Greg.”
Also stepping up was the veteran Norwood, firing 11 second quarter points on a trio of three pointers to continue the hot shooting Caracut started. The Gilas mainstay, who was averaging just 3.5 points coming into this game, finished with a season-high 18 points, plus his usual stout defense.
“I’m not really surprised because even in practice, Gabe Norwood is making his shots,” Guiao said of his veteran wing. “He’s taking more shots, he’s taking them with confidence. Ang akala ng karamihan he would just be mainly a stopper of imports, a defensive role player, but… nagkakaroon ng opensa.”
Guiao may not have been surprised, and maybe PBA fans shouldn't be either. After all, the fiery mentor has always thought highly of his locals. And they proved Guiao right again on Thursday night.