Coach Yeng Guiao, though, knows the locals have to step up too.
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters coach Yeng Guiao has always preferred big men with range.
Well, not until Demetrius Treadwell.
But while he has not been as prolific as the other imports, Treadwell is a perfect fit for the Elasto Painters.
It’s no secret Treadwell is at the center of Rain or Shine’s six-game winning surge after averaging 19.6 points and 18.1 rebounds in seven games.
“Siya ‘yung eksaktong kailangan namin. Hindi siya heavy scorer. Hindi siya flashy,” he said of the hefty import.
“Gusto ko sa import sana may tres. Pero okay na sa’kin na wala siyang outside game, as long as ganito sya ka-dominante sa loob.”
There’s more to the "Rebounding Demon" than boards, though.
“Kapag nakita mo siya sa gitna, duma-drive ka, I think mag-aalangan ka,” Guiao added. “Meron siyang leadership, kinakausap niya mga kasama niya. (Siya rin) ’Yung matino sa practice. Kung ano ipagawa mo, gagawin niya.”
But the hulking import will have his hands full when the Elasto Painters tackle the no. 2 seed San Miguel Beermen in the quarterfinals.
To say that it’s going to be a tough assignment is an understatement.
The last time they met, Marcio Lassiter drilled the go-ahead triple on the way to a 115-110 squeaker last November 29. Treadwell struggled then, coming up with a measly eight points in his PBA debut.
But Treadwell and the Elasto Painters went on a tear after that.
Now more than a month later, he will have a chance to redeem himself in the quarterfinal tiff which starts this Friday, January 18, 4 p.m. at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
It will be aired on A2Z, PBA Rush, and the Pilipinas Live app.