PBA Commissioner’s Cup champions Rain or Shine Elastopainters. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Patience and persistence have finally paid of for Yeng Guiao and Rain or Shine.
Four years since steering the Elastopainters to their first title in history, Guiao once again shepherd the franchise to the top.
But it’s not about the overflowing talent that made his team standout.
“The ultimate reward for a coach is to win a championship. Ano pang gugustuhin mo?” he said. “We are not the most talented team, but we are the most consistent. And one day, that consistency will lead to a
championship.”
Building a core surrounded by players fit to his system, Guiao persistently carried Rain or Shine into the post season, believing one day it will yield something bigger.
In the 13 semifinals appearances since he took over the team in 2011, six of that led to Finals stints.
“Sabi ko nga, you get to the semis often enough, you get to the Finals often enough, one day, matitisod mo rin yan,” he said.
And that the Elastopainters’ did, winning their second franchise title with a 109-92 Game 6 conquest over Alaska.
“Today, natisod namin,” said Guiao, as the triumph atoned the past four runner-up in the last three seasons. “Eto nga yung sabi kong hindi nakakasawa. Kung manalo ako ng championship, okay sa akin. Hindi ito nakakasawa.”
“We were just really looking to be consistent all the time. Whether we have injuries, whether we lose some players, it’s not the system, it’s our culture. We built a culture within the team. That is really the core of our existence. The players know what I require of them and they know that each and every one is dedicated to each other. Di kami nag-iiwanan,” he said.
And that identity was put to the test in this grueling championship duel, where Rain or Shine failed to capitalize its first two chances to close the series out after taking a 3-0 lead.
“The guys talked among themselves. They had lunch the other day after our loss. Pinabayaan ko lang sila at di ko na pinakialaman kung anong pinag-usapan nila,” said Guiao.
“That’s the kind of team this is. They’re very mature. They stick together. They get emotional, they can get mad or angry at each other, but it’s nothing personal. They know that the intentions of everybody is just to help the team win.”