RAIN or Shine coach Yeng Guiao is hoping for a breakthrough win when his charges square off with debuting and defending champion San Miguel Beer today in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“At some point our luck will change. Ang importante, nandoon ka lang. You’re keeping yourself in the battle and at some point, you can get a break,” Guiao said. “Blessing sa amin iyong unang game nila kami. Alam namin na medyo hindi pa sila masyadong nakakapag-practice, galing sa break sa championship.
“Probably a good time to play them. Siguro wala pang masyadong sense of urgency, kasi nga kaka-champion lang nila. That might be something we can take advantage of,” he added.
The match is set at 4:30 p.m., with Rain or Shine aching to crash the winner’s circle after dropping its first three outings, counting a 107-11 loss to Ginebra seven days ago.
The Kings try to stay unscathed in their third game of the season-ending tourney when they face the Meralco Bolts in the nightcap at 7:30.
Guiao is not losing faith in his charges, saying: “Although tatlo na ang talo namin, wala naman kaming talo na talagang talo. Mga talo namin mga dikit lang, puwedeng manalo. Pero siguro dahil sa kabataan ng team namin hindi kami makapag-close out ng close games.
“Puro free throws ang diperensiya. Naka-focus kami doon the last few days. We’ve been mentally trying to focus on our free throws,” he added.
With prized rookie big man Keith Datu out due to a partially torn MCL injury, the likes of Adrian Nocum, Andrei Caracut, Leonard Santillan, and veterans Gabe Norwood and Beau Belga will be counted upon by the Rain or Shine to deliver.
Beermen tactician Jorge Gallent and his wards are coming off a title win in the last Commissioner’s Cup.
“We’re good. Nag-start kami sa weights. We were only nine and eight sa start, pero na-achieve naman namin iyong gusto naming ma-achieve sa mga hard practices namin lately and now we have 14 players,” Gallent said.
SMB will parade a healthy crew, including reigning seven-time MVP June Mar Fajardo and Terrence Romeo, who will combine with CJ Perez, Marcio Lassiter, Chris Ross, Jericho Cruz, and Don Trollano.
Ginebra will rely on Christian Standhardinger, Jamie Malonzo, Maverick Ahanmisi, and Japeth Aguilar.
Meralco is coming off an 85-90 setback at the hands of NorthPort last Sunday that dropped the Bolts to 1-3.
