ANTIPOLO – Rain or Shine is expected to be deeper come its PBA quarterfinals face-off against NLEX.
Coach Yeng Guiao said big men Caelan Tiongson and Kris Porter are going to suit up for the team on Wednesday as it tries to salvage its season opposite the twice-to-beat Road Warriors in the Philippine Cup.
READ Ginebra finishes strong to put away RoS, secure twice-to-beat spot
Both Tiongson and Porter sat out the Elasto Painters’ 98-80 loss to Barangay Ginebra at the conclusion of the elimination round on Sunday that sent RoS down to seventh spot and a playoffs duel with the No. 2 seeded Road Warriors.
Tiongson was out with a sprained ankle, while Porter didn’t practice the past few days owing to a flu.
“By Wednesday Caelan and Porter will be good, so we’ll be okay by Wednesday,” said Guiao.
“Namaga yung ankle niya (Tiongson). Si Porter nagka-flu siya the last few days so he wasn’t able to practice.”
By Monday, the two big men, according to Guiao, will be back practicing with the team,
Rain or Shine has been in the semis the past three conferences compared to NLEX, which hasn’t been in the Final Four since Guiao left the team.
But while experience may be the Elasto Painters’ advantage, Guiao said the Road Warriors’ enjoying twice-to-beat edge is something his team must come.
“Kailangan namin manalo ng dalawang beses against a strong team that’s been playing well,” said the Rain or Shine coach.
“Meron din sigurong advantage (sa playoff experience), pero maliit lang siya. Pero pare-parehong bata naman yung mga players namin. Kaya kung may advantage man, maliit na maliit lang.”
Rain or Shine and NLEX face each other at the start of the quarterfinals on Wednesday at the Philsports Arena.
If necessary, the sudden-death game is set Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
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