RAIN or Shine passed its initial test in the playoffs with flying colors, leaving Elasto Painters coach Yeng Guiao elated no end.
“We were willing to battle. We were just trying to grind it out,” Guiao said. “Noong natirahan kami ng tatlo, apat na four-point shot, a team of weaker stuff would have folded up.
“So, it’s a testament to the character of the guys. We were able to come back after that,” he added.
Guiao spoke after his wards eked out a 109-105 decision over Magnolia last Wednesday night in Game 1 of their best-of-5 quarterfinals in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
The animated tactician admitted the Hotshots gave the Painters fits in the opener of the race-to-3 series.
“Magnolia really surprised us because they tried to play the game that we also like to play and they were able to keep up with us, but I guess we made some big plays,” Guiao said. “We forced some crucial stops, and we were able to prevent them from executing.
“I think medyo na-stuck ata sila on 102 for a while so that was the stretch where we really played good defense.”
Import Aaron Fuller led Rain or Shine’s attack with a double-double of 24 points and 20 rebounds that he laced with four assists while Jhonard Clarito added 20 markers and five boards.
Adrian Nocum also had 14 and four while Leonard Santillan and Gian Mamuyac combined for 24 points for the Painters.
The second game of the Last eight showdown is set today at the Santa Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex.
One aspect of their foes’ game that gnaws at Guiao is the four-point shooting led by Magnolia sniper Jerrick Ahanmisi.
“Iyon ang ng almost pumatay sa amin (in Game 1). Part of the game plan siguro is just to be able to lessen their efficiency. Mataas masyado iyong 50-percent shooting from four. Sabi ko nga fantastic masyado iyon,” Guiao said.
“So, we’ll try to lessen that because we know they’ll take a lot more four-point shots not just three-point shots and parang specialty na ni Ahanmisi iyon. So, we have to pay special attention to that.”
Reinforcement Rayvonte Rice paced the Hotshots with 16 points while Paul Lee and Ahanmisi had 15 markers each.
Mark Barroca, Zavier Lucero, and Ian Sangalang also had 12, 11, and 11 points, respectively, for Magnolia.
Guiao hopes they can get the job done in Game 2 anew despite an expected fightback from the Hotshots.
“Aaron did a yeoman’s job in the middle so we feel that he’s really the anchor that we can rely on game after game,” he said.
“Palagay ko our character is being tested and at least, for now, we passed the test.”
