DESPERATE times call for drastic measures.
That seems to be Rain or Shine's line of thinking right now following another smarting loss Sunday that dropped it to the bottom of the PBA Governors Cup standings.
And no less than Elasto Painters coach Caloy Garcia hinted one move they may make is an import change.
"We will review the game tape, decide if we need somebody else," said Garcia following a 71-78 loss to previously winless Alaska.
The loss was Rain or Shine's fourth straight, dropping it to a 1-5 record and a tie with Alaska. Because of the winner-over-the-other rule, however, the E-Painters are relegated to 12th and last.
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Garcia said they remain hopeful of making it among the top eight advancing to the quarterfinals, a possibility that would be realized should they sweep their last five games in the eliminations.
"Hindi pa naman kami out talaga. We still have a chance and I know management is all-out in its support of the team," stated Garcia.
But first, some tinkering must be done and it looks like it would be starting with Kayel Locke.
Against the Aces, Locke tallied a game-best 25 points on top of 10 rebounds, bringing his averages to 22.3 points and 9.67 rebounds.
But Locke repeatedly failed to get in synch with his teammates and, most telling for Garcia, were stretches in the Alaska game in which his locals kept them in the game while the American was on the bench.
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"I asked the import: 'Do you know what you're doing?' And he was confused," related Garcia.
"So lack of communication. Both sides, locals and import. I told them that you have to communicate."
Rain or Shine hopes to start its rise in the game against Blackwater on Oct. 23.
In-between, Garcia reiterated a decision has to be made soonest. "If we're going to make a change, it should be now," he said.
Garcia declined from specifying the names on his short list but readily detailed the kind of reinforcement he would like.
"An import who can play in the inside," said Garcia. "Kasi nawawala mga touches ng guards namin and everybody knows ang strength ng game namin is anchored on our guards."
If ever the decision is indeed made to bring in a third import after Joel Wright and Locke, Garcia would be ready with his recommendation.
"We'd look right now, from the imports na ibinibigay sa amin before this conference, and even past imports," revealed Garcia, before adding another criterion.
"Who is the closest one?" he stressed.(NC)
