At A Glance
- Rain or Shine is looking to sharpen its claws ahead of a crucial stretch which head coach Yeng Guiao considers as the real test for the team's playoff readiness.
Rain or Shine is looking to sharpen its claws ahead of a crucial stretch which head coach Yeng Guiao considers as the real test for the team’s playoff readiness.
“Marami pa (need i-improve). Actually, 'yung second half ng schedule namin, 'yun ang mas mabigat,” said Guiao as the Elasto Painters improved to a 4-1 record but will have teams like NLEX, TNT, Converge, Magnolia and Ginebra in the second half of the schedule.
“Hindi pa talaga ito siguro yung test na makakapagsabi kung makakapasok kami ng playoffs o hindi,” he added.
NLEX, TNT, Converge and Magnolia are all in the upper half of the standings while Ginebra has long been title contenders.
Guiao survived the first five games of their elimination assignments with some of his players going in and out of the lineup. The team even missed veteran Stanley Pringle and sophomore forward Caelan Tiongson in their narrow victories over Meralco.
The fiery mentor is optimistic to have the full potential of his lineup in the coming games.
“But we're trying to be full force for the next few games. Medyo inaabangan lang namin yung pagbabalik ni Stanley at si Caelan,” said Guiao.
“Mabuti na lang yun nga yung si Santi (Santillan) nag-step up because yung mga puntos na yun, yun yung mga nanggagaling kay Caelan. So natatakpan namin yung butas na yun,” he added.
Guiao, however, reminded his charges that they cannot be complacent especially at this point of the conference and against veteran teams who know how to close out games.
“Sabi ko nga sa kanila nung sa dugout, hindi tayo mananalo ng close games every time.
If we rely on breaks or we rely on getting lucky, may araw naman mamalasin ka. So dapat comfortable yung lamang,” he added.
ROS actually built a 17-point lead against Terrafirma but had to overcome a huge third quarter scare from the Dyip behind a strong performance in the final frame
“Mabuti na lang bandang fourth quarter ngayon, medyo comfortable eh,” he added.