Deon Thompson had long been on Yeng Guiao’s radar. The fiery coach wanted him so much that he replaced original choice Kenneth Kadji when he found out the American-Ivorian big would be available for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
That abrupt import change at the start of the midseason tourney is looking all kinds of good now. That’s because Thompson just led the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters to the semis with a 34-point, 12-rebound, 7-assist tour de force in their Game 3 win over the Converge FiberXers on Sunday.
Thompson’s gargantuan effort—in that do-or-die and throughout the PBA Commissioner’s Cup—isn’t a loss on Guiao. In fact, he made sure to give Thompson his flowers in the aftermath of Game 3.
“Our appreciation to the effort of Dion. I think among all the imports he’s been the most underrated,” Guiao told reporters after the Converge game. “Lowest scoring import probably, but he’s had his best game today, just three assists short of a triple-double. Not only that, he did it on the defensive side. He’s not been really noticed, but for us in the team, we know what he means.”
Deon Thompson Deflects Credit, Says It’s All About Rain or Shine
Despite Guiao’s effusive praise, Thompson was still all about the team, crediting his supporting cast for the success Rain or Shine has had. He specifically mentioned the locals’ big contributions at the start of the fourth, when they stepped up with Thompson resting to start the payoff canto.
“My teammates are really good. I think that’s something that’s not about me,” he said. “I think I went to the bench and then Beau [Belga] hits two big threes and then Adrian’s [Nocum] incredible in transition and Andre [Caracut] and Caelan [Tiongson] battled. Keith [Datu] played well, so it’s a collective team.”
Belga, Nocum, Caracut, Tiongson, and Datu combined for 62 points, with Jhonard Clarito adding 11 more and Santi Santillan chipping in 4 more. In short, Thompson was right. It was a collective team effort that got Rain or Shine to the semis.
The Elasto Painters will need more of that team effort in the semis against the TNT Tropang Giga—the same team that beat Rain or Shine in the semifinals of the PBA Governors’ Cup.
