For the sake of not getting scolded by coach Yeng Guiao, Gian Mamuyac had to respond to Ricci Rivero’s sportsmanship with a rather unexpected gesture.
When the dust is finally settled, it’s all good between Rain or Shine’s Gian Mamuyac and Phoenix’s Ricci Rivero.
Both figured in a rather awkward sequence late in the third period when Mamuyac slipped off a defensive stance on a driving Rivero, who stopped and scored inside the shaded lane.
Caught in the camera is the aftermath of that play that saw the former Ateneo Blue Eagle refusing to accept Rivero’s help.
“Magkaibigan po kami ni Ricci [Rivero],’ Mamuyac clarified in the aftermath of the Elasto Painters’ commanding 122-107 dub against the Fuel Masters to notch win no. 5 in the PBA Governors’ Cup action.
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The former Ateneo Blue Eagle scored eight of his 14 points in the final frame, helping Rain or Shine to pull away late via a lean 23-10 run in the final 7:20 minutes to pull off a resounding victory.
But Mamuyac explained he had to make that gesture to save himself from getting scolded by head coach Yeng Guiao.
“Ang ayoko lang po is ‘yung masisigawan ako ni coach Yeng [Guiao]. Kasi kapag kinamayan ko po si Ricci, masisigawan po ako. Pero off the court naman po, nagkakamayan naman po kami,” he said.
Guiao chimed in and backed up his prized youngster’s act.
“Away-away muna basta may laro,” the Rain or Shine head coach remarked.
It was an around-team effort for the Elasto Painters, who besides import Aaron Fuller, had seven local players in double figures. They also recorded 31 assists on 41 makes while also turning 17 Phoenix turnovers to 29 points in total.
Overall, the outspoken tactician tipped his hat to Brandone Francis, who exploded for a team-high 31 points including 19 in the first half alone.
“We really had a hard time containing the import [Brandone Francis], in the first half. Prolific scorer talaga and we just tried to work hard on making his shots difficult. Just trying to make him less efficient,” Guiao said.
In the end, it was sticking to their usual fast-paced style of the play that ultimately paid dividends for Rain or Shine as Phoenix ran out of steam in the end.
“We kept the pace going. It’s our natural phase and once guys step on the court, they only go at one speed,” Guiao said.
“Tingin namin, nakakasabay yung Phoenix ng three quarters pero nung fourth quarter na, nako-control na namin ‘yung pace ng game so I think it’s a big part of it. “
Rain or Shine now set their sights on keeping their winning momentum going when they next face Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel on Friday, September 13 at 7:30 p.m. in the Smart Araneta Coliseum.