FOR the third straight time, Rain or Shine failed to get the job done in the semifinals, this time losing to TNT 1-4 in the semifinals of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
But Elasto Painters coach Yeng Guiao and his wards held their heads high.
“We will get better, we are getting better,” Guiao said. “I’m proud of what we have accomplished. We’re happy with the performance of our import (Deon Thompson).
“Overall, we’re also satisfied with our performance as a team, 4-1 iyong series but we felt that in every game we played, we had a chance to win. Iyong five games na iyon may pagkakataon na makuha namin iyon laro. Breaks lang (talaga),” he added.
Guiao’s thoughts came in the aftermath of his team’s 92-97 loss to the Tropang Giga in Game 5 of the series last Friday that sent them packing in the import-spiced meet.
It’s the Painters’ resolve that they need to improve if they want to get over the hump and reach the finals for the first time since 2016.
“Siguro dapat matuto lang kaming maglaro ng endgame. Again, I don’t want to make it an excuse na bata iyong team namin,” Guiao said. “Hindi na bata iyong team namin.
“Kailangan lang talaga, siguro a little bit more of the mental toughness in trying to close out games.”
Rain or Shine also fell in the semis of last season’s Philippine Cup via a 4-0 sweep at the hands of San Miguel Beer and to TNT in the last Governors’ Cup 1-4.
Guiao is hoping his players will lick their wounds fast and recover for the All-Filipino battle set to kick off on April 5.
“All-Filipino na next conference. I think laban ulit. Makikita mo naman na may improvement,” he said. “I think lalaban ulit kami, makaka-playoffs ulit kami. We’re still looking at ways to improve the team. Magandang i-assess iyong team based dito sa mga nangyari.
“Kung mayroon mang paraan para ma-improve pa nila, we will work on those ways to improve the team in the short off-season.”
