Aside from the satisfaction of his team reaching the semifinals on Wednesday, Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao is also pleased that Game Three of their PBA 48th Season Philippine Cup quarterfinals against TNT was an entertaining contest.
Fighting for their lives, the Elasto Painters overcame the Tropang Giga, 110-109, last Wednesday. Guiao was amazed at the twists and turns of the match, which saw his team lead by as many as 20 points before their opponents fought back until the end.
After the Game Three victory, Rain or Shine is set to face San Miguel in the best-of-seven semifinal series beginning on Friday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
'We gave the fans a nice game to watch'
Guiao emphasized that such games are what the PBA needs right now, as the elimination round of the Philippine Cup has been plagued by dwindling gate attendance.
“I’m really happy we give the fans a really nice game to watch,” said Guiao. “Gusto natin ‘yun sa PBA. Gusto natin matuwa ‘yung fans. Kahit na kabadong kabado na ako, sabi ko, 'Natutuwa ‘yung mga fans, magandang laro ito.'
“I think we should give them more of those na hindi alam kung sino mananalo, laban lang ng laban, bakbakan ‘yung laban, ratratan ng ratratan. Those are the games that are enjoyable to watch,” said Guiao.
Guiao also credited TNT, led by head coach Chot Reyes, for making the game a must-see event for the fans, with the Tropang Giga managing to tie the game in the fourth quarter.
“My hats off to coach Chot and the TNT franchise. Akala ko nakabaon na sila pero bumangon sila sa hukay. Ang galing nila. Ang galing talaga nila,” said Guiao.
Guiao noted that Rain or Shine turned to its fast-paced game against TNT, whose manpower woes deepened after Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser suffered an ACL injury. Roger Pogoy also missed the latter part of the game due to cramps.
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“Ganun kagaling ‘yung Talk ‘N Text. They really played with a lot of class. Kahit na kulang-kulang sila, kahit na si Roger na-injure pa nung huli, kinayod pa rin nila pero kinapos lang. I guess it’s really the big lead and to us, it’s the pace of the game,” said Guiao.
“Alam namin na kokonti ‘yung rotation nila. Kulang sila. And we really like to play a fast-paced game, transition game. Sa amin, natural naman na laro ‘yun. If we can force them to run with us na konti na nga sila, tingin ko advantage namin ‘yun,” said Guiao.
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