BY now, Yeng Guiao is no longer surprised to see Rain or Shine look like the odd team out in the PBA playoffs.
As the world gets smaller and smaller for independent teams in the PBA, Guiao and his Rain or Shine squad continue to fight an uphill battle in a bid to end the stranglehold of teams belonging to the all-powerful SMC and MVP blocs.
"I'm kinda used to it already," said Guiao on the eve of the Philippine Cup playoffs, where, to no one's surprise, the SMC and MVP teams once again have the inside track on winning a league championship for the 21st successive conference.
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From four independent teams making the playoffs in the last Commissioner's Cup in guest squad Eastern, NorthPort, Converge, and RoS, now it's down to the Elasto Painters and FiberXers flying the flag in the all-Filipino playoffs.
Not only that, but both indie teams face daunting odds in the quarterfinals beginning on Wednesday, where No. 5 seed Converge faces No. 4 Barangay Ginebra and No. 7 RoS plays second seed NLEX, both at a twice-to-win disadvantage.
Rain or Shine, under Guiao, actually is the last independent team to win a PBA title in the 2016 Commissioner's Cup, but that seemed like a world away now that the league axis has mostly revolved around MVP and SMC sides.
But the Elasto Painters have come closer and closer to the goal, making the playoffs for the fourth straight conference and gunning to make it to the semifinals for the fourth time at the expense of Guiao's former team NLEX.
Guiao, though full of fight, is also realistic, saying the best the Elasto Painters can do is get to the playoffs and keep giving themselves chances at a 'mini-miracle.'
"We're hanging in there," said Guiao. "The more times you get to the playoffs, the more chances you get of breaking through. All you can do really is get in the mix. The deeper you get [in the playoffs], the more it will be satisfying.
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"Who knows? Maybe someday, you'll break into the finals, then you can get the chance to pull off a minor miracle," he added.
In all honesty, Guiao said he is thrilled to see NLEX do well in the conference, saying the Road Warriors' rise will help break the monotony and perhaps create renewed interest.
"I think NLEX has built a contender with a lot of young guys playing with a lot of character," he said. "In a way, it's good for the league. The more variables in the competition for a top finish, the more interesting it will be."
Does he consider his battle with NLEX personal?
"Not at all. I'm still close to [NLEX] management, their coaching staff, and half of the players there played for me," said Guiao. "If we're not playing each other, I will be very happy for the growth and progress of this team."
Guiao, however, is happier for the consistent progress of Converge, which is in the playoffs for the third time this season - and first since Franco Atienza took charge of the coaching duties, with Dennis 'Delta' Pineda as one of his deputies.
"If there is an independent team aside from RoS that is really serious in forming a competitive team and title contender, it's Converge," said the former Gilas Pilipinas coach. "They're using their resources to realize that objective.
"It's creating renewed interest in the league [seeing more] teams capable of breaking the strangehold of the usual champions."
As for his own team, Guiao said he feels they're getting closer each time.
"I feel good. I think we have a window [to win]," said Guiao, who has overseen the rebuilding of Rain or Shine into a playoff contender, mainly through the draft. "Hinog na ba kami? If we're healthy, I think we have a chance."
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