“We can’t blame everything on the import,” Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said yesterday after the Elasto Painters absorbed their fourth straight setback that raised the same question of replacing their reinforcement.

“The locals and the coaching staff, have to take responsibility as well in our four losses. Yes, Hassan has been outperformed in the past four games by his counterparts, but it’s not just him why we’re losing. There are other factors,” Guiao added.

Adams was again outplayed as Ginebra’s import Nate Brumfield fired 30 points while he only scored 14 points.

Rain or Shine’s struggles continued Saturday night after a 90-95 defeat to Barangay Ginebra in the PBA On-the-Road presented by Phoenix Fuel at the Panabo Multi-Purpose Tourism, Cultural and Sports Center in Davao del Norte.

It was the Elasto Painters’ fourth straight defeat after a franchise-best start of 3-0.

Aside from the shortened elimination phase, the format will also have six teams moving in to the next round, with the top two earning outright semifinal slots, while the third to sixth teams will play in the crossover bestof- three quarterfinals.

The seventh to 10th teams will be eliminated.

Even with his team’s struggles, Guiao firmly believes they can make it to the quarters with Adams, a former NBA campaigner who played two seasons with the New Jersey Nets as their reinforcement.

Guiao said that with the way things are going this conference with other teams struggling as well, winning one of their last two games – either against Alaska on Friday or San Miguel Beer on April 6 – is enough for the Painters to enter the next round.

The will meet the Aces who face the possibility of playing without import LD Williams after committing a Flagrant 2 on Meralco’s Mark Cardona last Friday, which is automatic for a one-game suspension and a P20,000 penalty.