Paul Lee vs Jayson Castro. PBA Images/Nuki Sabio
Rain or Shine has a lot riding in Game 1 of its best-of-seven title series for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup against Talk ‘N Text.
Not only are the Elasto Painters seeking to gain the proverbial headstart, but they will be searching for their first series win over the Tropang Texters dating back to last year and somehow their fortune the rest of the way.
“We are (more) seasoned now. That’s the difference,” Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said as his Painters slug it out with the Texters at 7 p.m.
READ: Guiao: Texters beatable at this time
Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena hoping that they’ve learned a thing or two from being swept in a title series twice before.
“The conditions are different now,” Guiao added.
Talk ‘N Text totally routed Rain or Shine in the Philippine Cup Finals in 2013 and in the Final Four of this conference last year, and the Texters will come into this championship series as the slight favorites owing to very recent form.
The Texters bundled out erstwhile defending champion Purefoods by winning the last three games in a 3-1 victory in their best-of-five semifinal series, while the Painters, after finishing No. 1 in the eliminations, were hardly tested by undermanned Meralco in a 3-0 semifinal win.
An eight-day rest since sweeping the Bolts in their half of the Final Four could work both ways for the Painters, who could either be rusty or very sharp for being well-rested.
And for Guiao, even in a series this long, winning Game 1 could hold the key.
“Game 1 is very important, because the burden of adjustment will be on the other team,” Guiao said. “The winner will just continue to do what it did in the series-opening win.”
After seeing the Texters at their best against Purefoods, Guiao also has more or less an idea on who to stop first to get Talk ‘N Text out of synch.
Jason Castro almost singlehandedly beat the Star Hotshots in those three wins, and for sure, Guiao will throw his best stoppers against Castro, who is locked in an interesting race with Rain or Shine’s Paul Lee for the Best Player of the Conference award.
BACKSTORY: Talk N’ Text Jayson Castro biggest thorn in Rain or Shine’s side
Wayne Chism could also spell the difference for the Painters. Last year, in his first stint in the league, Chism was hardly impressive but management stuck to him and called him for another tour of duty.
And so far, Chism is making Guiao look like a genius. Chism is also one of the reasons why the firebrand coach stated that: “conditions are different now.”