Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao likes how his seldom-used players responded following the departure of starter Gian Mamuyac.

The trade that sent Mamuyac to Phoenix for future draft picks has opened the door for the likes of rookie Deo Cuajao and Mike Malonzo to step into the spotlight and show what they can bring to the table if given enough playing time.

They did not disappoint and built their case as key fixtures in Guiao’s rotation.

Malonzo, in particular, contributed great numbers as the undermanned Elasto Painters beat erstwhile unbeaten Fuel Masters, 105-98, for their first win in the Philippine Basketball Association Season 50 Governors’ Cup on Tuesday at the Ynares Center-Antipolo.

He dropped 12 points on an efficient 6-of-9 shooting from the field while also tallying six rebounds, three assists and one steal in 19 minutes of play.

“That’s the natural progression. That’s where Mamu’s (Mamuyac) playing time will go. The minutes I can distribute to the players will increase,” Guiao said.

“It’s natural that other players will be given a chance. And we’re not disappointed by those given chances to play.”

Rain or Shine ended a two-game slide to barge into the win column of Group B at the expense of its former captain Mamuyac and his new squad.

“You really need to move on. You need to adjust. Mamu has played a huge part for us as a team, but we’re slowly getting used to not having him around. Even my rotation, I’ve adjusted to it. I’ve accepted that he’s no longer with us,” Guiao added.

Cuajao, on the other hand, only had five points in the win but scored 19 in the Elasto Painters’ first game sans Mamuyac in a 114-122 loss last Sunday.

“He’s making the most out of the playing minutes that Mamu previously had,” Rain or Shine elder statesman Beau Belga said of the Letran product selected by the club in the second round of the latest Draft.

“Just think about it, Deo had little to no playing time before. But now he’s getting at least 15 minutes. Deo gets his chance to play after Gian’s departure. So, it’s good,” Belga added.

Rain or Shine needs all the help it can get especially in the backcourt, with Stanley Pringle and Felix Lemetti still out due to injuries.

So, the likes of Cuajao and Malonzo are doing their part for the cause.