Yeng Guiao gets real on Rain or Shine’s chances at Jones Cup, looks forward to challenge

Yeng Guiao has always called a spade a spade. And on Friday, as his Rain or Shine Elasto Painters left for Chinese Taipei, he got truthful about the Elasto Painters’ chances in the 42nd William Jones Cup.

"Palagay ko, mas realistic ‘yun [podium finish]. Mahirap sabihin na magagaya natin 'yung [nagawa nang] national team nung nakaraan, dahil nag-champion sila with a lot of imports around," Guiao told the PBA.

Guiao, of course, was referring to Mighty Sports, which won the 41st staging of the tournament, before it was shut down from 2020 to 2022 due to the pandemic.

That team, of course, was bannered by five imports in former PBA reinforcements Renaldo Balkman, Eugene Phelps, and McKenzie Moore, guard Zach Graham, and 7-foot center Hamady N’Diaye, who played alongside Fil-Ams Jeremiah Gray, Roosevelt Adams, Troy Rike, and Jason Brickman.

In contrast, the Elasto Painters will be bannered by two imports only in naturalized player Ange Kouame and Nick Evans, who will backstop a young Rain or Shine core led by guards Rey Nambatac, Anton Asistio, and Gian Mamuyac. Santi Santillan, who has earned the fiery mentor’s trust, is also expected to play a big role in the team’s Jones Cup stint, where they will compete with eight other teams in a single-round robin tournament.

“Second or third, baka mas realistic ‘yan. Baka mas kakayanin," said Guiao, who is nonetheless confident in the fight that his wards will bring. "We are not promising anything, but I'm sure that our guys will not back down from the challenge and will fight to represent the PBA and the country well.”