Rain or Shine Elastopainters rookie Caelan Tiongson during the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Rain or Shine may not have completed its goal of reaching the top of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup but Caelan Tiongson certainly had some positive takeaways after the squad’s run in the import-laden conference.
Tiongson and the Elasto Painters succumbed to TNT in Game 5 of the semifinals, 97-92, ultimately exiting the Commissioner’s Cup at Araneta Coliseum on Friday.
READ: PBA: Caelan Tiongson finds footing at perfect time for Painters
Still, the seventh overall pick in the 2024 PBA Draft unearthed some things about himself during their semis clash with the Tropang Giga.
“I think all this series showed me is once I get my condition back and body back, I’ll always try to compete and try to get back at that level when I was playing in my prime,” said Tiongson with Inquirer Sports.
“My body’s showing me that I have the potential to do it so I just have to work hard.”
Tiongson didn’t have the best exit game for the Elasto Painters as he finished with just eight points and two rebounds against the reigning Governors’ Cup champions.
READ: PBA: Caelan Tiongson makes most of matchup with RHJ
However, the dynamic forward showed glimpses of what he can do when given the green light during Rain or Shine’s series with TNT.
For one, Tiongson showed phenomenal effort in the Elasto Painters’ Game 3 win over the Tropang Giga.
The 32-year-old swingman was responsible for Rondae Hollis-Jefferson on defense yet he still managed to finish with 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists in their 103-98 win over TNT—their lone win against the Tropang Giga in the best-of-seven series.
“I see myself as someone who wants to be responsible in being an impact player making big plays and I think All-Filipino will give me a chance to show that,” he said.
“For me, there’s no offseason, I might go to the beach for a couple days but straight back to the gym I go to put on some weight, I also want to be more consistent on my shot. I have a lot of work to do.”
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Tiongson will take a few months off as he and the Elasto Painters await the final conference of Season 49, which is the Philippine Cup.
