RAIN or Shine coach Yeng Guiao is a happy man these days because his team is off to an excellent start in the PBA 49th Season Governors’ Cup.
The Elasto Painters remained the only remaining unbeaten team in the conference after routing NLEX, 124-105, in a game where they wiped out a 21-point second-quarter deficit and won via blowout.
Rain or Shine's 3-0 (win-loss) record in Group B marked the franchise's best start since the 2021 Philippine Cup where the Elasto Painters' also opened the conference with three straight wins in the semi-bubble.
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That's quite a relief for a team that started the two conferences last season with 0-5 and 0-4 records.
“Laking bagay nitong good start kasi nag-start na kami ng 0-5, nag-start na kami ng 0-4. Parang nasa ibang mundo kami, nag-start kami ng 3-0, hindi yata kami sanay sa ganito,” said Guiao.
“Pero nakikita mo, gumaganda laro ng mga bata. Natutuwa ako. Sabi ko nga kanina, nag-eenjoy ako panoorin ‘yung sarili naming laro. Nag-eenjoy ako makita ko naglalaro sila. Siguro nag-eenjoy din ‘yung mga nanonood,” said Guiao.
Guiao cited the selfless attitude of a tight-knit group as the reason behind the torrid start.
“Very tight itong group na ‘to,” said Guiao. “Malakas ‘yung bond nila. One reason siguro na you see them share the ball, that’s an effect of their camaraderie. You see them support each other, magkamali sila, mag-mintis sila, pagalitan ko sila, they support each other.”
“Pagdating sa laro, walang nainggit, walang nag-seselos. Bigyan mo ng playing time, okay sa kanila. ‘Wag mo bigyan ng playing time, okay din sa kanila.”
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“Kahit hindi mo suwelduhan ‘tong mga ‘to, okay din,” Guiao joked.
Jhonard Clarito attested to the good vibes surrounding Rain or Shine, saying they support each other.
“Sa team naman namin, lagi silang sumusuporta kaya lagi kaming nag-eenjoy," said the vastly improved guard after scoring 24 points on a perfect 9-of-9 clip in the 124-105 win over the NLEX Road Warriors,
Kahit nag-mimintis kami, nandiyan sila, lagi nila kami gina-guide kung ano ‘yung mali namin. Kung mag-turnover kami, sila Kuya Beau [Belga], Kuya Gabe [Norwood], gina-guide nila kung ano ang dapat gawin sa depensa."
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