Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao is under no illusion his team is already an elite team after keeping its win streak going in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup.
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao was quick to temper expectations on the heels of the Elasto Painters’ fifth straight win in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup.
When asked if he thinks the team is playing on the level of contenders San Miguel, Ginebra, TNT and Magnolia, Guiao said that they were far from that.
“Hindi pa. Malayo pa kami doon. Bata 'yung team namin. Kailangang masubukan mo 'to sa talagang kayurang laro, 'yung endgame, patalinuhan. Lulutuin mo pa talaga,” Guiao said in the aftermath of Rain or Shine's wire-to-wire 115-105 win over NorthPort on Wednesday, April 17 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate.
“Pero malayo pa kami sa San Miguel, sa Ginebra, sa [TNT], sa Magnolia. Mga sobrang beterano na 'yun, may utak sa kuko 'yung mga 'yun kaya mahirap talunin sa dikdikan," he added.
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But it cannot be denied Guiao is seeing telltale signs that his charges, led by seasoned slotman Beau Belga, could go places, barring any major humps along the way.
After all, scoring five straight wins after dropping their first four assignments was a good test of character for the Elasto Painters.
“Pero maganda ang resulta namin ngayon dahil may mga laro kaming dikdikang nairaraos namin. Good sign 'yun,” he said.
Against NorthPort, the Elasto Painters zoomed to a 22-3 start, led by as much as 22 points, then weathered repeated comeback attempts by the Batang Pier later on in completing the victory.
“Good sign doon 'yung may lead ka tapos napi-preserve mo. Buti, naitatawid namin,” said Guiao.