RAIN or Shine's winning streak in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup came to an end Saturday night courtesy of Phoenix, 93-91, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
And the Elasto Painters only have themselves to blame.
READ: Tuffin tip-in propels Phoenix to massive upset over Rain or Shine
Coach Yeng Guiao admitted the team didn’t play smart basketball against the Fuel Masters especially in the end-game where the Elasto Painters had a shot of winning the game outright.
The veteran coach pointed out the failure of the Elasto Painters to take advantage of two mismatches that could have worked to the team’s advantage in the final 30 seconds and the score knotted at 91.
Guiao mentioned the crucial play that saw guard Andrei Caracut opting to take a four-point shot against import Donovan Smith, instead of pounding the ball inside to Dean Thompson who was up against Ken Tuffin.
“I’m a little bit disappointed with our decision-making dun sa endgame,” Guiao said.
“Instead of attacking our mismatch which could have been a higher percentage opportunity for us, ang inatake namin yung lower percentage na mismatch, e,” he added.
Caracut’s shot didn’t even hit the rim, opening the door for Phoenix to have a shot at a winning basket, which it did on a Tuffin follow up off a missed basket by Jason Perkins.
“I emphasized that to the guys that should we come across another situation like that, we have to understand what higher percentage play is than a lower percentage play is. Marami pang mangyayari na ganyan. Sa akin, ano lang leksyon lang para sa mga bata,” said Guiao.
At the same time, the Rain or Shine coach admitted having overlooked the Fuel Masters’ capability to hang on and pull a win in the endgame.
“Yung Phoenix kasi they will usually have a good start and had problems closing games. But if you give them a good start at some point, maisasara rin nila ng maayos yung laro. And I think that’s the mistake,” said Guiao.
The close loss snapped Rain or Shine’s four-game win streak and fell to a 5-2 record, though still good enough for solo second.
“At some point talaga, matatapos din yung streak,” said Guiao. “Pero kahit na natalo kami, we’re still in a good spot.
“Lesson pa rin sa amin yun. Learn all the lessons we can get from it and maybe we can be a little better.”
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