A THIRD straight semifinal stint that hopefully will lead to a third pro league title.
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao likes their chances after the Elasto Painters advanced to the semis of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
“If you keep knocking, the door will eventually open,” Guiao said. “So, just be there, just show up.
“Maybe one day, we can get into the finals. That’s our objective,” he added.
No. 6 Rain or Shine fashioned a 112-103 victory over Converge in their do-or-die quarterfinals showdown last Sunday—a fitting follow-up to the Painters’ Last Four appearances in last season’s Philippine Cup and the last Governors’ Cup.
Rain or Shine fell to San Miguel Beer and TNT, respectively, in those two trips to the semis.
Guiao’s wards will go into battle with the Tropang Giga on a high after ousting a fellow independent team.
Had the young FiberXers prevailed, it should be just fine for Guiao.
“Ako, kung natalo kami, okay lang na sila ang pumasok kasi they represent independent teams,” Guiao said. “Nag-usap nga kami na sana sa finals kami nagkita, or semifinals man lang.”
The fiery veteran strategist was simply elated that two combatants outside the MVP or SMC blocs clashed for a semis berth.
“But we will cheer for each other, kung sila pumasok. We will cheer for them in the semifinals or the finals,” Guiao said.
“I think it’s the same thing. Pumasok kami sa semis, so they’ll be rooting for us, also, kasi iyon din ang gagawin namin kung sila ang pumasok.”
The PBA will take a 16-day break and will start the semis on Feb. 26 to give way to Gilas Pilipinas’ campaign in the third and final window of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers—a welcome development for Guiao as he plots how to topple favored TNT and give the franchise another crown after winning it all in the 2012 Governors’ and 2016 Commissioner’s Cups.
“We can enjoy this for a few days,” he said. “Then we’ll get back to work again.”
