Yeng Guiao only has good words to say about his ex-players Calvin Oftana and Rey Nambatac, who are now doing the damage for Rain or Shine's semis foe, TNT.
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao has found himself in a bind after further falling to a 0-2 hole against TNT in their best-of-seven PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup semifinals.
Incidentally, former Guiao soldiers and now Tropang Giga gunners Calvin Oftana and Rey Nambatac had a lot to do with that.
Oftana and Nambatac have proven to be a thorn in the side of the Elasto Painters after combining for 24 points in a telling 38-21 third period that set the tables up for TNT's 108-91 win in Game 2 on Friday, Oct. 11.
[WATCH: Calvin Oftana delivers a double-double performance for TNT in Game 2 win against Rain or Shine | PBA Highlights]
Oftana, who played for Guiao at NLEX, finished with 18 points and career high-tying 14 rebounds.
Meanwhile, Nambatac had another all-around outing of 16 points, six rebounds and four assists to sustain his showing in the series opener where he played a key role.
Asked about the duo’s tour-de-force performance against him, Guiao said, tongue in cheek, that he was pissed.
“Actually, kung hindi kami ang kalaban nila, matutuwa ako. Pero kami ang kalaban nila, so naasar ako,” said Guiao in jest.
Turning serious, Guiao said he was happy with how his former wards blossomed into the stars they are now today.
“Pero sa kanila 'yun. Napagaling nila ang sarili nila, nagagamit nila. Of course, hindi naman nila pipiliin kung sino ang kalaban nila,” Guiao said.
While the firebrand mentor is pleased with their play, Guiao and the Elasto Painters would not go easy on them when Game 3 unfolds in the nightcap of Sunday, Oct. 13.
Rain or Shine and TNT will duel anew at 7:30 p.m., with the former looking to get that confidence-boosting win that could prop up its sagging fortunes in the series.
“In a way, I’m happy for them. But gagawin namin ang lahat ng magagawa namin para mapigilan sila sa susunod,” said Guiao.