RAIN or Shine coach Yeng Guiao is sticking to the positives after his team lost to NLEX, 111-106, in its final elimination round game in the Smart Bro-PBA Philippine Cup on Saturday night.
The Elasto Painters squandered a double-digit lead against the Road Warriors to lose the game, denying them of entering the semifinals outright and instead will have to settle for a twice-to-beat edge in the quarterfinals.
“It’s a big disappointment,” said Guiao, who let his wards know how he felt as they stayed in the dugout longer as usual. “But we just have to accept it and move forward.”
Guiao stressed they never underestimated the Road Warriors, saying Sean Anthony just had one of those hot games.
“We did not (take them lightly),” the veteran mentor said. “We prepared as hard as we can. Siguro Anthony just had a monster game. Nangyayari rin talaga yun. Some players, they get into a zone, they get their confidence, and sometimes, whatever you do, it’s hard to stop them.”
Now, the Painters simply have to move on – although though a longer route.
“We have to look at the bright side,” Guiao said. “Maybe it’s good for us not to get too much rest. Kung two weeks kang walang laro, baka naman makasama rin. We don’t know what’s God’s plan is.”
“It’s going to sharpen you up,” he added as his team finished with an 8-3 win-loss record for third seed, facing either Mahindra or Blackwater in the playoffs. “It’s going to get you ready for the bigger games.”
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