Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao was visibly frustrated over San Miguel’s Terrence Romeo for showing lack of "basic respect" in Game 3 of their semifinal duel in the PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday night, May 22. 

In front of a full crowd at the Dasmariñas Arena in Cavite, the best-of-seven series saw the Elasto Painters wound up into a 0-3 hole following a 117-107 sorry loss. 

Unable to fully match the mighty and loaded Beermen rotation, the Elasto Painters’ youth has painfully manifested itself in the series. 

In Game 3, though, Rain or Shine closed on in solving the San Miguel puzzle as it came within four, 105-109, with 1:30 left in the match following Santi Santillan’s triple. 

Though Santillan continued to carry Rain or Shine on his back with another jumper in the next minute, San Miguel had the final word with Romeo firing a three-pointer in garbage time in the decisive win, something that Guiao did not appreciate. 

“Basic respect. Alam mo naman na San Miguel is a class organization. Alam mo naman na kaibigan natin ‘yung coaching staff nila at ‘yung mga bosses doon. That’s just a minimum requirement for respect. Wala naman tayong quotient sa semis and hindi naman bagong player si Terrence eh. I’m sure alam niya ‘yun,” said Guiao. 

“So, nagulat din ako na ganoon nangyari na medyo bastusan ang labas. I think the mere fact na they are the seeded number one, they are the best team with the best record, they have the best talent. That in itself should make them a class organization and part of being that us giving due respect doon sa mas mababa sa iyo,” he said. 

Tensions flared as soon as the final buzzer was heard, with Romeo being restrained off the court. 

Admittedly, the veteran tactician lost his temper and did not hold back in calling out Romeo for his last second action. 

“Pero ‘yun nga hindi naman ginawa nga nangyari. So nagalit din ako, I lost my temper pero deserving sila. Kung bastusan naman ang labanan, ayaw mo naman mambastos pero pag binabastos ka, alangan namang magpapa-bully ka doon sa mga ganoon,” Guiao said. 

“It’s just an expression of siguro of disappointment na expect mo doon sa ganoong situation matatapos kayo ng may respeto pa rin kayo sa isa’t isa. Maganda naman ‘yung laro eh. Wala namang nangyaring untoward, wala namang situation na pwedeng sabihin na nagj-justify sa ganoon. ‘Yun lang meron talagang ganoon, may tao talagang bastos. Wala tayong magagawa. May taong mayabang, may taong bastos. Wala tayong magagawa,” he concluded. 

Despite the results of their semifinal campaign so far, Guiao is just grateful that his relatively young squad got this far –– able to experience the thrill and pressure of the playoffs which will only strengthen them in the next conference. 

Should the Elasto Painters make more than just a semifinal appearance, Guiao will be more than happy if they could avoid a nasty sweeping loss. 

San Miguel and Rain or Shine will figure in Game 4 on Friday, May 24, at the Mall of Asia Arena.