The throwback outfit served as a lucky charm of sorts as Rain or Shine grabbed its second win at the expense of hapless Converge in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup on Wednesday, April 3.
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao admitted he knew very little about the rationale behind the team's sporting of retro Welcoat Dragons jerseys in their PBA Philippine Cup tussle against Converge on Wednesday, April 3.
The Elastopainters took basketball fans to a nostalgic trip down memory lane as they paraded the uniform the team first wore in 2006.
“Parang gusto lang i-reminisce ang mga early days ng franchise,” Guiao said.
Andrei Caracut in Rain or Shine's retro Welcoat jersey | Photo (c) PBA
[RELATED STORY: PBA: Rain or Shine to sport throwback Welcoat Dragons jerseys in match vs. Converge]
But the eloquent mentor eventually came up with a profound answer.
Guiao, who came on board as head coach in 2011 before retaking the position in 2022 following a six-year stint with NLEX, said all this was a testament to the character and values of the team owned by Raymond Yu and Terry Que.
“Kaya rin siguro nagse-settle ako sa franchise na 'to because it protected its good name all throughout,” said Guiao, who won two titles with the Rain or Shine franchise in the 2012 Governors’ Cup and 2016 Commissioner’s Cup.
“Inalagaan nila ang pangalan nila na they will play by the rules, they will be fair, they will be ethical."
He added, “Ethically, character of the team, hindi naman nag-iba. There are ups and downs, but 'yung character at values ng team, hindi nag-iiba.”
Will the Elastopainters continue to wear the same jersey?
It is not Guiao’s call.
But after Rain or Shine’s dominant 110-90 win over Converge, the firebrand coach did not see any reason why they should not.
“Hindi ko alam, eh. Pero sinuwerte, so baka maulit pa,” said Guiao.