PBA Image/ Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines—There’s no doubt that Gary David has the license to shoot for Powerade.
What’s surprising is that he also has the chance to do so as far as the Tigers’ foe, Rain or Shine, is concerned.
“Gary can get his 40 points,” Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao told the Inquirer Tuesday, moments after final preparations of his Elasto Painters for Game 1 of the PBA Philippine Cup’s Final Four with the Tigers Wednesday at the Cuneta Astrodome.
“What we want is to shut down his support crew and get the entire team out of the flow, out of rhythm,” the multi-titled Guiao continued. “That’s our main concern.”
Guiao pointed out to more than 60 assists and a 45-percent three-point shooting for the Tigers in their series against the No. 1-seeded Llamados, and he feels that they have a chance against the Tigers if David doesn’t get the support that he needs.
“Our defense is ready for Gary and their (Tigers’) guards like JV (Casio) and Marcio (Lassiter),” he said.
David sealed his superstar status in that series, especially after his 37-point explosion in the rubber match that saw him hit 16 straight points in a four-minute span bridging the fourth quarter and overtime.
Rain or Shine is playing in the semifinals for just the second time in franchise history and are tipped as the very slight picks to prevail and make a title series for the first time against the winner of the Petron Blaze-Talk ‘N Text series that starts Thursday.
“If we win the first game, the burden of adjustment will be on the other side,” he said. “That’s why I feel that if we win, we have a chance to go at them again hard. But the downside of that is they can do the same to us if they win Game 1.”