GAMES TODAY
(PhilSports Arena, Pasig)
5 p.m. – Terrafirma vs. Rain or Shine
7:30 p.m. – Phoenix vs. NorthPort
HAVING been there and done that, a veteran coach’s wisdom comes in handy for a team on a high or one that has already hit its initial target.
Take the case of Rain or Shine, which, despite being in the quarterfinals, should not look past also-ran and hapless Terrafirma.
“Bilin ko sa team it’s always dangerous playing a team na walang pressure,” coach Yeng Guiao said. “They might be trying to have a good account of themselves before they bow out so it’s always dangerous.
“Any time you step on a basketball court with another team, you always have a chance of losing. Minsan maliit lang iyong chance pero nangyayari pa rin. We have to be careful of that,” he added.
How his charges will respond to Guiao’s urgings will be known when the Elasto Painters clash with the Dyip today in the PBA Philippine Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
The game is set at 5 p.m. before eliminated squads NorthPort and Phoenix tangle for pride and bragging rights in the nightcap at 7:30.
Rain or Shine will go into the battle armed with a 109-99 victory at the expense of the Fuel Masters last week that raised their mark to 5-3.
Another win will boost the Painters’ drive for inclusion in the top four that will be rewarded with a win-once incentive in the Last Eight.
But they have to make do with another injured key player in court general Felix Pangilinan-Lemetti, who suffered a fractured left hand in practice.
“Maganda inilalaro niya, kahit sa practice, tapos na-fracture pa kamay,” Guiao said of the cerebral Fil-Swedish who joined veteran big man Beau Belga (vertigo) in the injury list. “At least six weeks out kaya out for the season na siya.”
Rain or Shine will pin its hopes on Adrian Nocum, Leonard Santillan, Andrei Caracut, Jhonard Clarito, Gian Mamuyac, Caelan Tiongson, and Keith Datu.
Guiao and his quintet also try to hit two birds with one stone—take care of business against the 1-8 Terrafirma, and gird up for a marquee tiff with San Miguel Beer on Saturday, June 7, in Cagayan de Oro City.
“Ang importante diyan maaga pa lang we have to take control of the game. Kapag nakadikit sila sa iyo medyo delikado na iyon. Sa Converge game nila ganoon, naging delikado,” he said. “That’s one thing we’re trying to avoid.
“We’re trying to make use of this game to fine-tune our game against San Miguel on Saturday. May mga gusto kaming subukan, so tingnan natin kung uubra.”
The Dyip fell to the FiberXers 103-107, their eighth straight defeat, in the season-ending tilt.
Terrafirma will rely on veteran guard Stanley Pringle, Louie Sangalang, Mark Nonoy, Kevin Ferrer, and Keith Zaldivar.
Like the Dyip, the Fuel Masters (2-7) and the Batang Pier (1-7) simply have a similar mission—to play the spoilers’ role.
