RAIN or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said Barangay Ginebra remains a threat even without Justin Brownlee as the two teams prepare to face off in the restart of their PBA 50th Season Governors’ Cup.
Friday’s 7:30 p.m. main game at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium pits the top versus the bottom team in Group B where the Elasto Painters hold a 4-2 win-loss record and the struggling Gin Kings are 2-4 without Brownlee.
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Guiao, however, is bracing for a tough challenge from what he expects to be a desperate Gin Kings side.
“I think they are a very dangerous team especially kung may sense of urgency sila,” Guiao said. “Nasa baba sila, kailangang kailangan nilang manalo. ‘Yun ang nakakatakot sa Ginebra.”
“Alam naman natin ‘yung Ginebra, pag kailangan nilang manalo, with their tradition, experience, with their coaching, nagagawan nila ng paraan,” Guiao said.
Ginebra and Rain or Shine faced off in the playoffs of the 50th Season Commissioner’s Cup. The Gins won that series in six games with Brownlee.
Rain or Shine got back atGinebra, then led by import Riley Grigsby, in the Governors’ Cup eliminations with a 110-99 victory that forms part of the Elasto Painters’ current four-game winning streak.
For the rematch, Rain or Shine will have to contend with new Ginebra import Jordan Murphy, who was brought in to replace Grigsby.
But Guiao said he would rather play against an import they aren’t that familiar with than duel with Brownlee.
“Medyo inaaral na namin kung paano namin lalaruin ‘yung Ginebra especially bago ‘yung import nila.
“Although sa akin, iba pa rin si Brownlee eh. Nakalaban namin sila sa series. We know how good Brownlee is. Alam namin magaling din itong import na ‘to pero medyo kung papipiliin mo ako kung sino mas gusto kong kalaban, siguro mas gusto ko ng kalaban ‘yung import nila ngayon.
"Mahirap pa rin pero mas mahirap pa rin ‘yung kalaban si Brownlee,” Guiao said.
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