Caelan Tiongson finding niche in ROS offensive system
Published Oct 15, 2025 01:36 pm
At A Glance
- The 33-year-old forward had an auspicious start to the PBA 50th Season, firing 23 points -- a fitting followup to his career-high 30 points in the Elasto Painters' final game of the previous Philippine Cup.
Caelan Tiongson is finding his place in Rain or Shine. (PBA Images)
Caelan Tiongson is settling into head coach Yeng Guiao’s system in his second year with Rain or Shine -- and it’s showing in his recent performances.
The 33-year-old forward had an auspicious start to the PBA 50th Season, firing 23 points -- a fitting followup to his career-high 30 points in the Elasto Painters’ final game of the previous Philippine Cup.
Tiongson, however, isn’t putting too much weight on the numbers, attributing his recent form to simply becoming more comfortable in his role with the Elasto Painter’s offense.
of him getting used to his role on the Elasto Painters offense.
“I think it's just familiarity. I think last year, the coach yelled at me the most last year when I didn't shoot the ball. So, throughout the year, it was an adjustment for me to realize what he's looking for,” said Tiongson after ROS opened the conference with a 96-95 overtime win over Meralco.
“And now that I have a better understanding of it, I think I'm just playing more free, more confident,” he added.
In that game, Tiongson hit a clutch four-pointer that set the stage for Gabe Norwood’s game-tying tip-in, sending the contest into overtime.
Still, he credited Guiao fo giving him the confidence to take that crucial shot when it mattered most.
“He gives me a lot of free reign and confidence. So, when I catch the ball, one of the things he told me in my first conference I played for him is the mentality you should have when you catch the ball on the three-point line if you're dead. You're dead,” said Tiongson.
“So, when I catch the ball, it's a little bit delusional sometimes. But I think every shot I shoot right now is going to go in. So, that's all there was to it,” he added.
Guiao stressed that he has no qualms if any of his players take that shot as long as it was within the system they are practicing.
“We drill that every day. He drills that every day. He knows when he's taking his shot, a good shot, and he knows when he's taking a bad shot. And I don't want him not taking those good shots,” said the veteran coach.
“It's okay for him to miss if it's a good shot. I just keep telling my guys that. When you're open, you're in rhythm, you're practicing your three-point shot every day. When it happens and it comes to you in the game, you have to take it,” he added.