RAIN or Shine coach Yeng Guiao wants no less than a payback against three-time defending champion Talk `N Text when the two teams cross paths Saturday night in the PLDT myDSL-PBA Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Elasto Painters dropped a painful 87-90 first round setback against the Tropang Texters, something which Guiao will try to use as motivation for his team heading into their 8 p.m. match.
The fiery Rain or Shine coach said practice has been very good the past days, thanks to the Elasto Painters’ four-game winning run and a relatively healthy roster.
“Very upbeat kami ngayon, especially since everything points to a positive result for the team, lalo na ngayon we’re riding on a four-game winning streak,” Guiao said. “This will be the biggest game for us.”
Rain or Shine currently owns an 8-3 record, in the same boat with Petron for a share of second and third spots, respectively, as of post time.
Talk ‘N Text, on the other hand, is running fourth with a 7-4 record.
Guiao said Rain or Shine gained a strong shot of finishing at no. 2 at the end of the eliminations following the shock loss of Petron to Barako Bull, 88-92, and Talk `N Text’s 100-102 setback at the hands of Air21 last Wednesday.
“Our motivation is to snatch second place and get one of the twice-to-beat incentives. Given the lucky breaks with losses the past days of Petron and Talk ‘N Text, now it’s up to us to secure the second place with a win,” explained the multi-titled coach.
Jeff Chan, who is averaging 20 points in Rain or Shine’s last three games, including a personal conference-best 34 points in the Elasto Painters’ 99-95 win over the Energy, will again spearhead the team’s bid for a top two finish.
With additional firepower coming from rookies Raymond Almazan and Alex Nuyles, Guiao is confident they can match up well against the Tropang Texters, a team that is looking to extend their reign in the All-Filipino conference.
“It helps that our team is fresh because we got some rookies to help the core veterans we have. They help take off the burden from our veterans,” he added.
Rain or Shine will have to contend with the quick backcourt of Talk ‘N Text bannered by veterans Jason Castro and Jimmy Alapag.
Both diminutive guards will get plenty of help from Kelly Williams, Ranidel de Ocampo, Larry Fonacier, and Danny Seigle.