RAIN or Shine coach Yeng Guiao is looking forward to the next conference after the team's solid campaign in the PBA 48th Season Commissioner’s Cup.
The Elasto Painters’ campaign came to an end on Friday night but not without a fight as they nearly erased a 22-point deficit before bowing to No. 2 seed San Miguel, 127-122, in their quarterfinal match.
Guiao says ROS has improved, matured
The loss, however, didn't dishearten Guiao, who believes the Elasto Painters have made enough improvement and matured enough to go deeper in the playoffs in the all-Filipino Philippine Cup.
“It was a good run for us,” Guiao said. “Maybe if [import] Tree [Treadwell] had gotten in earlier, maybe we will not be in a twice-to-beat situation. Merong mga positive na mga indications ang team namin.”
“We should be contending in the all-Filipino. I see a lot of potential in our young locals,” said Guiao.
Guiao said the team’s comeback from 22-points down against traditional contender San Miguel gave him a glimpse of what this revamped Rain or Shine team is capable of with more experience.
“Kanina, we had eight guys in double figures. We were in very adverse situations but we came back twice. ‘Yung first half, nalamangan kami 11 points, na-tie namin. ‘Yung second half, nalamangan kami ng 22 points, nakabalik kami to five,” he said.
“To me, those are good signs especially with the young team. Mataas ang enthusiasm ko and ‘yung anticipation ko na gagaling pa itong team na ‘to, mag-iimprove kami. I have a good feeling we can contend in the all-Filipino,” said Guiao.
ROS aims for a higher finish
Guiao feels the team has developed faster than expected, and is now aiming higher after a quarterfinal finish in the first conference since Rain or Shine rebuilt the team through the draft.
“Mabilis actually. Kanina nakita natin, si Keith [Datu] is a rookie. But kung hindi siya nagkaroon ng initial problems na nagkasakit siya na hindi namin alam kung anong nangyari sa kanya, he could have made earlier contributions sa ibang nailaro na namin,” said Guiao.
“Si Adrian Nocum, late na late na rin dumating sa amin pero makikita mo ngayon na pang-pro ang laro niya.
“Ang laki ng inimprove ni Andrei Caracut. Ang laki ng inimprove ni Santi [Santillan]. ‘Yung mga wings namin, sina Mamu, Rey, I think they all improved. It’s only a matter of gaining more experience. Kaya maganda itong experience na ‘to sa amin na nararamdaman nila how it is to play at the next level of the playoffs,” said Guiao.
The veteran coach expect the Elasto Painters to raise the bar next conference.
Guiao said: “Naka-quarterfinals na kami ngayon. Siguro para may improvement, punteryahin mo naman ‘yung semifinals para may pagbabago at saka you can’t just be satisfied with quarterfinals,” said Guiao.
“Sa tingin ko, ‘yung materyales namin, baka pang-quarterfinals na. Tignan natin,” he added.
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