Yeng Guiao–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Yeng Guiao viewed Rain or Shine’s return match against Barangay Ginebra as the prompt he needs before starting to consider his Elasto Painters as contenders for the PBA Governors’ Cup title.
His charges fumbled most spectacularly to the crowd darlings on Friday, 124-102, to be stalled in tabbing an early tournament goal of six victories.
Guiao had every chance to sulk and throw a fit over that botched chance, but the fiery mentor reached for perspective instead.
“I told the fellows we can have one or two bad games. What’s important is that you don’t lose your respect for yourself and that the public doesn’t lose respect for how you play,” he said.
“The game with San Miguel, even if we lost that game, we were still feeling fine,” Guiao said, referring to a 113-112 setback last week. “But if you lose by 20-plus points—in this manner? I think that’s what dampens spirits or drags down morale.
“We need to be careful with how to treat this loss,” the champion coach said.
Rain or Shine, with a bevy of youngsters and a pair of two untested first-round picks, was hardly a contender in many preseason projections.
But the Painters went on a fiery 4-0 start that included a big win over the Gin Kings in a match held in Candon, Ilocos Sur. Guiao and his crew would’ve been perfect throughout Group B’s opening round if not for that loss to the Beermen where star June Mar Fajardo hit the game-winner.
Chasing playoff spot
Rain or Shine has never gone through adversity until Friday’s whipping, which is why Guiao is worried about how his charges, now at third with a 5-2 win-loss mark in the race, would regain their footing, especially with the race for a playoff berth entering a frantic pace.
“We have to find ways to keep our momentum going and look for something positive we can take out of this loss. 5-2 is still a good position to be in,” Guiao said.
“[W]e’re trying to get the best finish that we can, but what’s more important is we make the next round. Six wins will get you there.”
Rain or Shine battles NLEX on Tuesday, while San Miguel and Barangay Ginebra tangled on Sunday night in a clash that could very well shake up the Group B standings.
The Elasto Painters still have San Miguel and Blackwater on its schedule, which is keeping Guiao’s outlook rosy at this point.
“We may have not gotten the sixth win now, but we could on Tuesday,” he said. “And whatever lapses we had in this game, we’ll [base from watching] the video.” INQ