THE monkey that is now off the back of Rain or Shine has likewise given the Elasto Painters the belief they have a fighting chance against the TNT Tropang 5G squad battered by the injury bug.
“Our best chance is to make this series long. If it becomes a short series, talo kami,” Painters coach Yeng Guiao said. “So, at least nanalo kami, we know it’s going to be five games. “Kapag nanalo pa kami, we know it’s going to be six games. So, we know our best chance is really taking this series to the stretch,” he added.
Rain or Shine seeks to knot the series when it takes on TNT tonight in Game 4 of their best-of-7 semifinals battle in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The Painters and the grand slam-seeking Tropang 5G show up at the hardwood at 7:30 with Guiao’s charges keen on following up a much-needed and breakthrough 107-86 rout in the third tiff last Sunday that made it a 1-2 series.
Ditto with San Miguel Beer, which despite surrendering Game 3 (90-100) and having a walking wounded reigning eight-time MVP June Mar Fajardo (calf), is expected to fight back and level its own race-to-4 showdown with Ginebra at 2-2 when they tangle in the curtain-raiser at 5 o’clock as the pro league’s 49th season comes down to its final month.
Even with TNT sharpshooter Roger Pogoy doubtful due to a hamstring injury, Guiao is convinced their foes remain formidable with gunner Calvin Oftana still around.
But repeating over the Tropang 5G should buck the trend of the Painters losing two semis duels in a row in the first conference with the same outcomes.
“After playing TNT three times in the semis, we know what it takes. They’re very competitive, they’re very disciplined, and then iyon nga, double-barreled shotgun, Pogoy and Oftana. Their sheer talent, they can take over a game. So, ang bigat pa rin,” Guiao said. “Subukan naming i-break iyong trend na iyon. Today is the big game. We feel that if we can break through. Kasi kapag series namin 4-1 nang 4-1. So, at least napantay na namin iyong level noong dalawang playoffs namin sa kanila.”
A day after signing a three-year, near-max contract extension, Adrian Nocum, along with Anton Asistio, Leonard Santillan, Keith Datu, Gian Mamuyac, Andrei Caracut, Jhonard Clarito, and Caelan Tiongson should take the cudgels for Rain or Shine.
“Rain or Shine came out and wanted the game so much more,” TNT strategist Chot Reyes said. “They were a little more aggressive. We were not able to match it.”
The former Gilas Pilipinas tactician will pin hos hopes on Oftana, Jordan Heading, JP Erram, Kelly Williams, and Glenn Khobuntin.
Both the Painters and the Beermen are training their sights on making it a best-of-3 affair. For sure, the Tropang 5G and the Kings have their own agendas—to send their opponents to the brink.
