THE past two conferences of the PBA 49th Season saw Rain or Shine bowing out at the semifinal stage, both times shown the door by a TNT side led by three-time Best Import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said beating TNT doesn't get any easier in an all-local Philippine Cup, saying the Tropang 5G still have plenty of weapons to rely on even in the absence of Hollis-Jefferson.
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“Siyempre, ‘yun ang iisipin mo [na mahina sila kapag walang Hollis-Jefferson, pero pagdating ng laban, kapag nandiyan na ang TNT, kaharap mo na sila [Calvin] Oftana, sila [RR] Pogoy, tapos may [Jordan] Heading pa sila ngayon," said Guiao.
"Akala mo (ang) nagpapalakas, si RHJ," he continued. "Pero kapag nandiyan na sila, all-Filipino, malakas pa rin sila."
The fact that TNT remains on track for only the sixth grand slam in the pro league's 49 years despite longterm injuries to stars Jayson Castro and Rey Nambatac is proof that the Tropang 5G remain formidable, Guiao added.
“I think they have a purpose. Mahirap ‘yung kalaban mo na may pinupuntirya na gusto nilang gawin,” said Guiao, referring to TNT’s search for a grand slam.
TNT asserted its mastery of Rain or Shine, winning, 111-103, last May 21 in their elimination-round face-off at the Ynares Center-Antipolo.
But Guiao said Rain or Shine is equally motivated to get back to the finals for the first time since the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup, where it beat Alaska to become the last team outside the SMC and MVP bloc to win a PBA title.
“Pero meron din kaming purpose. Tignan natin kung sino ang makakagawa at makaka-achieve nung kanilang goal,” said Guiao.
Although clearly has their number, Guiao admitted the multiple times the Elasto Painters played - and lost to - TNT over the past conferences will help them in preparation for this grudge match.
“Siguro sa dami ng beses na nakalaban namin sila, we will be a little bit more comfortable this time. Siguro medyo alam na rin namin kung ano ‘yung mas makakaganda sa game plan namin,” Guiao said.
“Pero iba talaga ang talent nila. Given na it’s a very talented team."
Game 1 of Rain or Shine’s series with TNT is on Wednesday, 5 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena.
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