Rain or Shine’s Caracut Emphasizes Rebounding Woes After Game 1 Loss to TNT
TNT’s Dominance on the Glass Spells Trouble for Elasto Painters
Rain or Shine guard Andre Caracut didn’t mince words following their 98-91 defeat at the hands of the TNT Tropang Giga in Game 1 of their PBA Philippine Cup semifinals series. For the veteran point guard, the key factor in the Elasto Painters’ loss was simple and clear: rebounding.
TNT controlled the boards with a staggering 59-44 advantage, effectively stifling Rain or Shine’s usually deadly transition game. Caracut pointed out that this imbalance crippled their chances to generate fastbreak opportunities — a core strength of their offensive system.
“Talo kami sa rebounds kaya hindi kami makatakbo,” Caracut lamented, referring to their meager seven fastbreak points, which matched TNT’s total but fell far below Rain or Shine’s usual output.
Paint Power: Erram and Ganuelas-Rosser Set the Tone
Much of the Tropang Giga’s rebounding superiority came from their frontline duo of Poy Erram and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser. Both players grabbed 10 rebounds apiece and played crucial roles in both defense and offense. In total, the pair accounted for 29 points, with Erram even drilling a critical three-pointer in crunch time.
Caracut acknowledged the inside dominance of the TNT big men, noting their efficiency and physical presence in the paint.
“Mostly si Brandon and si Poy, yung percentage nila sa paint mataas. Kaya siguro lagay-lagay na lang sila (sa basket),” he said, highlighting how easily the duo was able to score near the rim.
Caracut’s Solid Performance Overshadowed
Despite the loss, Caracut had a commendable outing. He led Rain or Shine with 16 points, knocking down three triples and trying to keep his squad within striking distance throughout the game. However, his efforts were overshadowed by TNT’s collective efficiency and a late-game scoring outburst from Roger Pogoy.
Pogoy’s Clutch Shooting Burns Rain or Shine
The biggest blow came in the final stretch when Roger Pogoy, recently inducted into the PBA’s 5,000-point club, caught fire. He exploded for 28 points, 13 of which came in the fourth quarter alone. His highlight moment came when he nailed a momentum-shifting four-point play that extended TNT’s lead and effectively sealed the win.
“Yung timing ng tira ni RR, yung four points na naipasok niya, mabigat,” Caracut admitted. “Kaya medyo lumayo sila nung huli.”
Adjustments Ahead of Game 2
Looking ahead, Caracut stressed the need for immediate adjustments, especially in rebounding and interior defense. With Game 2 set for Friday, Rain or Shine is under pressure to address their weaknesses and come back stronger.
“Kailangan namin i-address talaga yung mga kulang namin. Adjustment para sa Friday,” said the point guard.
If Rain or Shine hopes to level the series and stay alive in their championship quest, rebounding and interior control will be critical areas to fix. Game 1 was a wake-up call — and they know exactly what needs to change.