RAIN or Shine coach Yeng Guiao thanked Magnolia for the experience the team gained in their PBA 49th Season Governors’ Cup quarterfinals.
Guiao said Magnolia, as expected, proved to be a tough nut to crack in their series that reached Game Five – eventually won by his Elasto Painters, 113-103.
The Rain or Shine coach said beating Magnolia in a five-game series is a huge thing for the young team.
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“Ang laking tinurong leksyon sa amin ‘yung Magnolia,” Guiao said.
“We are a young team. And to beat Magnolia in Game Five where everything is at stake, and everytime they beat us, tinatambakan nila kami. Doon lang sa ganung sitwasyon, masisiraan ka ng loob eh. Parang kayang kaya ka nila dahil kung talunin ka nila, tambakan.”
Guiao was referring to their two losses in the semifinals where they lost by 52 and 29 points.
“Pero the guys just disregard. They gave it their all. Sabi ko nga sa kanila, play this game (Game Five) for yourselves, for your teammates, for your family, it will go a long way in building your reputation, and building your respect for yourself,” he added.
“Ilaro niyo lang, ibigay niyo ang kaya niyo. Ginawa nila. Ako tingin ko, (if) they give their 100 percent, we really have a chance.”
Guiao said Rain or Shine even found motivation from Magnolia after statements made after its final elimination round game against Converge, where the Hotshots lost to drop to No. 4 in Group A and arranging a quarterfinal series against the Elasto Painters, the No. 1 team in Group B.
“We felt a little challenged kasi alam namin na parang ginusto ng Magnolia na kami ang makatapat nila na ‘yung game nila with Converge, I felt na mas importante sa kanila ‘yung makapagpahinga ‘yung mga players kesa mag-compete sa larong ‘yun. To me, it was really a conscious choice on their part to play us,” he stated.
“Gabe Norwood kept telling us that we should exact some form of revenge for that na these guys chose us. Maybe, mas maganda na magsisi sila sa tayo ang pinili nila. That was put as a challenge.”
Nevertheless, Guiao told his team to take a look at the players of Magnolia and how they respond at pressure situations, and that also includes Ian Sangalang, who after Game Two was accused of intentionally hitting Aaron Fuller in the eye.
“’Yung mga leksyon na natutunan nila kila Paul (Lee), Mark Barroca, mga beterano na alam na alam kung anong gagawin. ‘Yung mga natutunan doon sa ginawa ng dalawa, si Ian (Sangalang), si Calvin (Abueva),” he shared.
“Sabi ko panoorin niyo paano maglaro yung mga ‘yan. Kasi ‘yung mga ‘yan, plantsado na mga laro nila. Matututo kayo diyan. Kung kaya niyo silang talunin, mas maganda. Dami nilang natutunan talaga sa Magnolia players.”
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