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    Guiao believes Painters have psychological edge in Game Three after two close matches

    Guiao believes Painters have psychological edge in Game Three after two close matches
    Jul 5, 2014
    On-court leader Paul Lee (seated) is yet to get back to 100 percent, but coach Yeng Guiao believes Rain or Shine can score back-to-back wins over titleholder San Mig Coffee and take control of the series. Jerome Ascano

    YENG Guiao has reason to believe Rain or Shine holds a good psychological edge when they face off anew with grand slam-seeking San Mig Super Coffee.

    Game Three of the Governors’ Cup Finals is set at 5 p.m. on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and though the series is tied at a game apiece, the Painters have seemed to have control for most of the total minutes played.

    A controversial non-call in the final play marred game One won by the Mixers and Guiao pointed out that Rain or Shine was able to hold down San Mig to just 38.5 percent shooting in Game Two, leading to Rain or Shine’s 89-87 overtime win.

    “We haven’t had a win that is comfortable for both teams. In fact, as you can see, we’re both scrambling to get the win, though the good thing is we’re able to hold them (Mixers) below 40 percent, which is already an achievement in itself,” Guiao said

    Guiao mentioned that limiting San Mig to just 87 points while containing import Marqus Blakely, Peter June Simon and Mark Barroca’s scoring outburst was a result of the team’s resolute defense.

    “I have to credit our defense in limiting their offensive power. But we have to repeat that to get Game Three,” he added.

    Best Import Arizona Reid carried the Elasto Painters on his broad shoulders, drilling in 27 of his 29 points in the second half and overtime, including the go-ahead three-point shot with 6.7 seconds to go to seal the team’s victory.

    “I know they will try to gang up on AZ and try to take the ball from his hands, so he will have to create situations for him and for his teammates and take advantage of the defense on him,” said Guiao.

    Combo guard Paul Lee is expected to play, but may not be 100 percent after spraining his right ankle in a bad fall during the waning minutes of regulation play.

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    Meantime, San Mig coach Tim Cone said Rain or Shine’s ability to bounce back was not a surprise for him anymore.

    “They’re (Elasto Painters) a championship team, of course. They have an ability to bounce back and they hit tough shots, while we didn’t respond well,” said Cone.

    The winningest coach in the league added that his team failed to play defense late in the game, allowing Jeff Chan, Lee and later on, Reid to hit their shots from beyond the arc.

    “They hit a bunch of tough threes. Lee had one, Chan had one, and the last two by Reid, then he hit a tough jumper against Ping (Marc PIngris),” said the San Mig coach.

    “We’re a team that relies on defense down the stretch and they just beat our defense. But we’ll be better next time.”

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    On-court leader Paul Lee (seated) is yet to get back to 100 percent, but coach Yeng Guiao believes Rain or Shine can score back-to-back wins over titleholder San Mig Coffee and take control of the series. Jerome Ascano
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