Can Ryan Pearson help boost a Rain or Shine offense that’s been struggling throughout the 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup?
PBA Friday Games (November 11, 2022)
Venue: Ynares Center-Antipolo
First Game: Rain or Shine Elasto Painters versus Bay Area Dragons (3:00 PM)
Second Game: Blackwater Bossing versus Meralco Bolts (5:45 PM)
Is pearson the answer to ROS’ offensive woes?
| Rain or Shine Elasto Painters | Bay Area Dragons | |
| Offensive Rating | 101.6 (9th) | 114.1 (1st) |
| Defensive Rating | 100.3 (3rd) | 98.1 (2nd) |
| Pace | 77.6 (8th) | 79.5 (5th) |
| Standing | 4-4 (T-6th) | 6-2 (3rd) |
Previous Games: Rain or Shine won against NorthPort Batang Pier, 76-75; Bay Area lost to Meralco, 92-89
As is the usual case in recent Rain or Shine teams, their offense is not up to par with their elite defense. The Elasto Painters’ defense has been excellent (third-ranked defensive rating), but they have been struggling on offense throughout the conference. The team decided that it was time to make some changes, bringing in the 6-foot-6 Ryan Pearson to replace Steve Taylor Jr. The 6-foot-9 Taylor mightily struggled with his shooting (17% 3P, 56% FT) and it wasn’t helping Rain or Shine’s cause.
Head coach Yeng Guiao is probably thinking offense in fielding Pearsons, who is a bit undersized when compared to other imports. But this could be a problem for them against Bay Area because who will defend the 6-foot-10 Andrew Nicholson? Nicholson is averaging a league-best 38.5 points on a highly-efficient 67.9% True Shooting, so we might see Rain or Shine doubling the Bay Area import right from the get-go, especially now that they don’t stand a chance in single coverages.
Meralco Takes on skidding blackwater
| Blackwater Bossing | Meralco Bolts | |
| Offensive Rating | 96.9 (12th) | 104.0 (8th) |
| Defensive Rating | 105.2 (8th) | 108.6 (10th) |
| Pace | 77.3 (9th) | 74.4 (13th) |
| Standing | 3-6 (11th) | 2-5 (12th) |
Previous Games: Blackwater lost to Magnolia Hotshots, 91-69; Meralco won against Bay Area, 92-89
Meralco needs to win basically the rest of the eliminations to have a chance at a playoff seat. After scoring an upset win over Bay Area, Meralco has a great opportunity to get a winning streak going when they face a skidding Blackwater squad that might be without lead guard Baser Amer and versatile forward Troy Rosario (both recovering from respective injuries). KJ McDaniels had 31 points in his first game for the Bolts, but he only shot 11-of-33 from the field. McDaniels should be able to put up a more efficient scoring display on Friday, and if he does, look for Meralco to cruise to an easy W over Blackwater.
