The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters have a clear path to the No. 1 seed in Group B of the PBA Governors’ Cup: beat the Magnolia Hotshots later tonight and then the Phoenix Fuel Masters on Friday, October 23.
But the reward: a quarterfinals clash with the TNT Tropang 5G, the same team that gave the Elasto Painters the boot in the semifinals of all three conferences in Season 49.
Yeng Guiao Wants Rain or Shine to Keep Winning
Evidently, that doesn’t faze Yeng Guiao, who wants his team to finish as high as it can and then just show up against whomever it is they face in the playoffs.
“We’re looking for best finish. Kung ano ‘yung kaya namin. Kung kaya namin ipanalo ‘yung dalawang laro, susubukan namin. Kung hindi naman, wala ka naman mapili dun sa kabila,” Guiao told reporters after Rain or Shine escaped the Blackwater Bossing, 125-123, on Saturday. “‘Yung apat na team naman na papasok dun, kahit kanino ka matapat, mabigat. So, gagamitin lang namin ‘yung mga laro namin para maihanda namin sarili namin para sa next round, at marami pang kelangan i-improve.”
One aspect Guiao emphasized, in particular, was protecting the ball. Against the Bossing, the Elasto Painters coughed it up 21 times, leading to Blackwater scoring 32 points off those turnovers. Guiao knows that simply won’t cut it, not with the quality of competition Rain or Shine will be facing in the quarterfinals.
“Wala kaming nasa isip… Kahit san ka matapat dun mahihirapan ka,” Guiao repeated. “May two games kami. Ang gagawin lang namin, i-improve lang ‘yung sarili namin dun sa two games na ‘yun.”
Just Keep Showing Up
Counting this PBA Governors’ Cup, Rain or Shine has now made the playoffs eight straight times, all three conferences in Season 50, all three conferences in Season 49, and both conferences in Season 48. Not once, though, did the Elasto Painters win a championship or even make it to the last dance.
That stretch no doubt carries with it a tinge of heartbreak, that of not being good enough to go all the way. Guiao, though, wants his team to keep fighting, to keep showing up despite its run of early exits. For the fiery mentor, you never know when it’s your time.
“Just keep showing up. Diyan ka lang parati. Baka dumating yung araw andyan ka lang parati, baka bigla kang suwertihin. Yun ang attitude namin,” he said. “At saka proseso yan. Hindi natin alam, baka eto na. Tuwing nakakarating ka naman ng playoffs, whether you win or lose, you come out better. Lumalawak yung kaalaman mo, yung experience mo. May natututunan kang leksyon. So whatever happens, we will come out better… Paghahandaan lang namin itong playoffs namin.”
The Elasto Painters will be taking on the Magnolia Hotshots later today at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. They will conclude the eliminations on Friday, October 23, with a date against the Fuel Masters.
