The Big Chill

The High Headband
Photo courtesy of Sports5

Beau Belga's now legendary crotch-chopping of thousands of Ginebra die-hards aside, the Rain or Shine Elastopainters' have benefited largely from head coach Yeng Guiao's "gut-feel" to bring back the multi-skilled Wayne Chism to replace burly big man Richard Jackson as their PBA Commissioner's Cup reinforcement.

Though Jackson was quite the force in the paint, helping the Elastopainters to a 3 wins - 2 losses slate, Guiao was always on the lookout for Chism who was unable to start the conference due to prior international commitments. But once Chism was available, Guiao stayed true to his word (reports have it that he told Chism that he'll be back as RoS import despite a so-so 2013 campaign wherein he posted averages of 33.8 mpg, 17.8 ppg, 12.5 rpg, 2.8 apg) to give the high headband-wearing import another chance.

In 3 wins and 1 loss so far, Chism has averaged a stellar 38.7 mpg, 33.5 ppg, 15 rpg, 2.3 apg statline while providing the Elastopainters with whatever is required on the floor. If it's defense, Chism patrols the paint like a natural power forward-center would. On offense, if they need him to play up top and iso, then he can do that with ease and even play point-forward. If the team needs him to play off the ball, then he just goes down into the paint and waits his turn.

He's not as explosive as a former Elastopainter and now San Miguel Beer import Arizona Reid (though Chism won their head to head match-up by dropping a cold 50 on Reid though they lost as a team), but Chism gets the job done in a very efficient manner. IMHO, Chism's almost laid back and quiet approach and demeanor oddly resembles that of future NBA Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady in the sense that because he can do things so skillfully, it almost appears that he's not putting in much effort (when in fact that's not the case at all).

Pair Chism's cool and methodical approach with resident star guard Paul Lee's (who's been on a complete tear this conference, averaging somewhere around 18 ppg and 7 rpg), and the Elastopainters seem to have found the right, winning combination to make it to a Top 4 seed this conference.

When Jackson was around, the team was forced to play half court with Belga manning the 4 spot. The rotation was a mess, guys were unable to run like what we've all grown accustomed to as RoS' style of open court basketball, and it was either Lee or Jackson taking turns. Now? Chism's versatility and passing acumen makes every one a threat at all times that he is on the floor because now they can all actually run up and down the court-- together. Instead of when they started the conference and guys had to wait for Jackson to set up shop in the paint.

In the end, it does seem that Guia's faith in Chism has been rewarded. How far they will go this conference will only justify that "trust" even more.