Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao admitted that his team has to dig deep against a veteran and an experienced team like Magnolia especially in a winner-take-all Game 5.

But as young as his wards are, the fiery mentor is not too easily waving the white flag heading into the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup quarterfinal do-or-die game set on Saturday, Oct.5 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

The Elasto Painters are not backing down, not to the physicality and the poise the Hotshots have been showing.

“Di kami nakapag respond dun sa physicality. I guess that’s one thing to learn, kailangan pag balik namin sa Saturday mas prepared kami sa very physical game,” Guiao said ahead of the 7:30 p.m. showdown that is expected to be as wild and dramatic as the first four games.

Tables have actually turned in the playoffs, admitted Guiao. Rain or Shine entered the playoffs as the second best offensive team but it is now the Elasto Painters’ that need to bank on their defense to keep the game close.

In their losses, once Magnolia got its rhythm going particularly on the transition and from the distance, it would be harder for Rain or Shine to get back into the game.

“Ang objective lang namin is to keep the game close, pag dikit yung game, dun kami nanalo pag nakalayo na sila nagka-rhythm na sila, Mahirap na pigilin ‘yung momentum nila,” Guiao pointed out as ROS got blown out in all of the second quarters of its losses.

“The objective on Saturday is to keep the game close and play it all the way to the end game and that’s where we are able to win,” he added.

Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero for his part, aims to do the same as the Hotshots brace for the climax of the war.

“I'm thankful to the players because of the mindset, because of the focus. Right on the [white] board, during the start of our pregame, it's all about believing. In order for us to win the war, we need to grind for 50 minutes," said Victolero.

"We've been here [in the playoffs] a lot of times. The experience and veteran players like Paul, Mark [Barroca] and Ian [Sangalang]. They know how to do it,” he added.