AS he broke up his his post-game huddle at the end of a thrilling Game Five, Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao told his players they can leave the locker room with their heads held high.
“We (coaching staff) told them (Elasto Painters) that they can walk out of the locker room with heads unbowed," Guiao said, moments after the 89-92 loss to San Mig in a deciding game of the PBA Governors Cup Finals. "We gave the public a good series. The series was not decided until the final buzzer.”
The fiery coach said Rain or Shine had nothing to be ashamed of after a game that saw the team battle back from a 16-point deficit even with import AZ Reid playing on one good foot, and come within a three-pointer of dragging San Mig into overtime.
But it simply wasn't for us, Guiao rued.
“We gave it our best. We were one three-point shot short and we could have gotten it to overtime but it’s (Game Five) not just for us, it’s really for them (Mixers),” he said.
Rain or Shine also finished the season with an aggregate win-loss record of 37-24, the most wins the franchise had since Guiao joined the team before the start of the 2010-11 season.
“I don’t think there’s anything to be ashamed of. We’re proud of what we accomplished,” said Guiao.
Now the team needs to regroup and try to get better next season, Guiao said, beginning in the rookie draft where Rain or Shine owns the second pick overall.
“We’ll just have to wait for another season, and see where we can improve and go for another championship if we can."
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