WHILE coach Yeng Guiao believes the toughest test is yet to come, a couple of Rain or Shine players seem to believe the title series will be easier than the semifinals and declared that San Mig Coffee has the edge in depth and talent over finals rival Talk ’N Text.
In an interview with Spin.ph, Rain or Shine defensive specialist Jireh Ibanes even declared that of the four semifinalists, San Mig is the toughest.
“San Mig para sa akin, sobrang-star studded yung team na yun. Mula sa point guard hanggang sa bigs,” said the former UP Maroon.
Painters star hitman Jeff Chan has the same thoughts.
“Tingin ko sa mga semifinalists, pwera kami, ang pinakamabigat San Mig, tapos pangalawa Talk N’ Text,” said the soft-spoken Chan.
“Mas may sistema kasi yung San Mig eh, tapos yung Talk N’ Text pagod, tapos may mga injuries pa,” reiterated Chan who was also quick to add: “Pero hindi ko sinasabing madali ang Talk n’ Text ha. Bugbugan ito.”
The Talk ’N Text-Rain or Shine title series begins on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum, but Painters guard Paul Lee revealed he would have wanted Alaska as finals rival because it has the same system as San Mig.
“Parehong triangle (system) sana yun di ba? Alam na sana namin ang atake sa kanila.”
But Guiao was quick to bring his boys back to the ground.
“Mali na sabihin nilang Talk ’N Text is a lesser team to San Mig,” said Guiao. "Pagdating mo ng Finals, iba na yan. Iba na ang pressure dyan. Mas handa na ang kalaban mo. Lalabas na ang galing at buti nila.”
“Pag naramdaman nila yung bakbakan (sa Finals), dun nila malalaman ang hirap. Walang madaling Finals, kahit saan.”
Asked he will reprimand his boys about the statements, Guiao said: “I’ll just tell them to relax ... I don’t want to put any more pressure than there already is.”
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