By REYNALD MAGALLON
Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao is just glad to finally witness the consistency that he has long been wanting to develop in his wards.
The Elasto Painters are marching back to the semifinals – their third straight conference since the fiery coach’s return to the franchise.
And it certainly paints a rosy present –and future for the franchise.
“We’re very happy. This is what we’ve been trying to achieve. Past two conferences we made the semifinals, so it would be a pity if we did not make the semifinals of this conference,” said Guiao after Rain or Shine’s 112-103 victory to eliminate Converge in their do-or-die Game 3 in the quarterfinals.
“It’s also a validation of the hard work that the guys put in, the togetherness and the camaraderie that they have. It’s also a testimony to the progress of the team in general to be in the semifinals three consecutive conferences for an independent team,” he added.
Guiao had repeatedly preached to his wards that they only needed experience to start learning to win in the playoffs and their semis return is a good indication of that.
Adrian Nocum, Leonard Santillan and Andrei Caracut have embraced the spotlight. Anton Asistio, Caelan Tiongson stepped up and veteran Beau Belga has provided the team the veteran presence it needs.
More than the contributions, however, the team’s ability to pick itself up when faced against adversities is what truly impressed Guiao in their series reversal against Converge.
“I think the test really is not just if you can win the game. The test is if you can come out and play winning basketball even after adversity,” Guiao pointed out.
“In game one, we were really disappointed. Because I know if you lose game one in a three-game series, there’s about a 70% chance you lose the series. Those are the odds. And we were just frustrated with the three consecutive fouls given Dion that time,” he added.
“If those incidents get you down, you’re never coming out of the series. But I think the big test for us was the mental aspect,” the veteran mentor stressed.
And with ROS becoming a consistent semis contender now, the next mission is to get it to the next round.
“To be able to do that, I think it indicates we have some consistency, at least performing as a team. You hang around long enough, maybe you’ll make the finals,” said Guiao.
“Just hang around there, be in the thick of the fight, and just be there, just show up and maybe one day you can get into the finals. So that’s our objective,” he added.
