DESPITE the obstacles facing Rain or Shine going to Game 5 of the PLDT myDSL-PBA Philippine Cup semifinals series against Petron, everything was light and everybody in high spirit during Thursday’s afternoon practice at the Northeast Greenhills gym.
Veteran gunner Jeff Chan said the adrenalin rush of the team remains intact even without coach Yeng Guiao calling the shots for the Elasto Painters in Friday night’s game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum when the team seeks a berth for a return trip to the Finals of the All-Filipino conference.
“Siyempre first of all, `yung Finals appearance motivation yun. Tapos siyempre, wala pa si coach Yeng bukas (Friday), though ang kagandahan, may ginawa na si coach na system na kahit wala siya, tatakbo yun basta mag-stick lang kami dun,” Chan shared to Spin.ph after the team’s practice.
“Nagpatawa pa nga siya (Guiao) eh. Tapos pina-alala niya lang sa amin na bukas nga, wala siya. Pero kami na daw muna ang bahala,” added the Gilas Pilipinas gunner.
The shooting guard out of Far Eastern University admitted he’s surprised to see the Elasto Painters ahead in the best-of-seven series, 3-1, considering Petron is talent-deep.
Yet the team’s 3-1 semifinal loss to the same Boosters team in last season’s Governors Cup serves as additional motivating factor for the team to finish off their opponents.
“Mas talented sila (Boosters) compared sa amin, pero `yung will naming manalo nandun. Saka sila din ang nag-eliminate sa amin kaya gusto naming i-prove na kaya namin silang talunin,” Chan said.
Even more, the memory of last year’s sweep in the Philippine Cup Finals at the hands of Talk `N Text still lingers in the minds of the Elasto Painters.
“Alam mo naman yun, gusto din naming bumawi from last year, kasi ni hindi man lang kami naka-isa sa (Philippine Cup) Finals,” said Chan, who averages 12.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.1 assists this conference.
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