Make or break

"Paul, sa ... maganda daw yung perks"
(Photo credit to the woner)

There is a storm coming.

Allow us to speak on a more personal level, being Rain or Shine Elastopainters fans and all since the Yeng Guiao era (established in 2011). Paul Lee is on the final year of his two-year contract extension. We saw how his manager openly batted that another one of his wards, Roi Sumang, be picked by RoS if only to have them play together buddy-ball style. RoS didn't. They passed on it. They picked an insurance policy in case Lee takes his talents elsewhere in 3rd overall pick Maverick Ahanmisi. Sumang? Pass. Pass. Pass.

Then, RoS barred Lee from playing for Gilas 3.

Don't think that that little incident is all water under the bridge now.

Jeffrei Chan, another Gilas player, was also not allowed to suit up.

Something's amiss.

Or maybe we are just being paranoid here.

Last season, RoS earned the title of being the league's winningest team by virtue of wins and losses. They won a lot of games, yes, but not the ones needed to bring home any of the three available championships. They went as far as the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals, but was obliterated by a TNT side that had too much muscle.

Is RoS management happy with being the winningest team, with no rings to show?

We doubt it.

It has been five seasons now into the Yeng Guiao era of RoS basketball, they've been very competitive given the limited budget and talent, RoS has easily become the new favorites with their style of play, but at day's end, teams are remembered best for titles. Titles. Titles. Titles.

They traded Jervy Cruz for Jewel Ponferada. A UAAP MVP for a bit player. Sure, Cruz wasn't delivering, but talent-wise we'd still take him over Ponferada. Ronnie Matias is reportedly on his way back to reinforce the team, so that's a good sign. Rookies Don Trollano and Josan Nimes should also be able to contribute.

We are still waiting on Jeric Teng.

Can RoS duplicate last season's success? Will they be happy with it?

Or is this a sign of a slow-burning, rebuilding effort?

We sincerely hope not.

Then again, they traded away glue guy and pesky perimeter enforcer Ryan Arana for nothing.