RAIN OR SHINE’S (ROS) depleted frontline embraces a bigger responsibility while Beau Belga and Keith Datu are still on the path to recovery and Luis Villegas is out for the season.

Veteran Mr. Belga is recovering from vertigo, Mr. Datu is sidelined by calf strain and Mr. Villegas is rehabbing from ACL surgery, leaving the likes of Caelan Tiongson and Leonard Santillan to man the fort.

Still, the Elasto Painters managed to split their first two assignments in the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations, scoring a 113-96 bounceback win over Arvin Tolentino-less NorthPort after opening with a 95-109 dud.

“That’s a testament to how hard our bigs play,” said coach Yeng Guiao of the efforts of ROS’ bigs who are forced to play “out of position” due to their manpower shortage.

Mr. Guiao hopes to get at least one of them back in harness before they clash with teams powered by towering bigs.

Mr. Belga, who’s having trouble with his balance, said he’ll be out for one month. — Olmin Leyba

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