RAIN or Shine is set to play another do-or-die game on Sunday when it plays Converge in Game Three of the PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup.
The Elasto Painters will be playing in a quarterfinal sudden death for the third straight conference on Sunday when they battle the FiberXers at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
In the 2024 Philippine Cup, Rain or Shine defeated TNT in the best-of-three quarterfinals, winning the final two games to clinch the series.
READ: Rain or Shine finishes strong to beat Converge, force decider
The Elasto Painters also had the same situation in the 2024 Governors’ Cup, playing in a Game Five in the quarterfinals which they won over Magnolia.
The comfort level in playing another rubber match is high, if head coach Yeng Guiao is to be believed.
“Gustung-gusto namin ang ganitong situation,” said Guiao. “For a team that is really hoping to develop into a contender, we need these situations. Kailangan namin ‘yung ganitong test sa sarili namin. This is part of the process.”
The winner of Sunday’s game set at 5 p.m. will battle TNT in a best-of-seven semifinals. Rain or Shine arranged this no-tomorrow match-up after upending Converge, 114-104, in Game Two last Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
'Fight like hell'
The message prior to the knockout match on Sunday will most likely be the same as that in Game Two.
“Just fight like hell,” said Guiao in describing the pregame discussion in Game Two. “Be smart. After the game, whatever the result is, we will live with it. Just compete. Kayurin niyo. Gawin lang natin kung ano ‘yung adjustments na ginawa natin.”
“Manalo, maganda. Matalo, tanggapin natin. But you have to fight like hell,” said Guiao.
Rain or Shine is definitely expecting that Game Three won’t be handed on a silver platter as Guiao said the Elasto Painters must continue to find a way to contain their ‘triple tower’ of Cheick Diallo, Justin Arana, and Justine Baltazar.
“We are looking for these kinds of games and tests to see how well we have developed as a team, how we can play under pressure, how we can adapt to situations,” Guiao added.
“Solid na solid ‘yung front line ng Converge. Kung natural mo lang silang lalaruin, wala kang schemes, ang hirap nila labanan sa ilalim. So you really have to scheme their bigs,” said Guiao.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
