Yeng Guiao pep talk sparks Rain or Shine’s spirited 4th quarter rally against Eastern

Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao did not need to say much to get his players going on Wednesday, Dec. 4.

 This as the Elasto Painters pulled away late in the fourth period to thwart Eastern, 99-81, in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. 

 ROS import Deon Thompson made a smashing league debut with 21 points, 15 rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks.

[RELATED STORY: Rain or Shine halts Eastern, chalks up first win in PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup]

 Santi Santillan had 18 points to be rewarded Player of the Game honors, while Keith Datu and Caelan Tiongson chipped in 10 points each.

"'Yung usual na sinasabi ko lang. Sabi ko 'Mga PI kayo. 'Pag 'di kayo nagtrabaho dito, ma-0-2 tayo. Patay tayo niyan.’ Alam na nila 'yun," said Guiao in jest, drawing laughter, when asked what he told his players in the fourth period.

 Whether that was true or not, it made a world of difference as the Elasto Painters outscored Eastern, 29-17, in the frame on their way to their first win after a sorry loss to Meralco in their opening assignment

Guiao 'happy' with Rain or Shine's recovery

Coach Yeng Guiao fields in import Deon Thompson for the first time for Rain or Shine. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports

 At one point, Rain or Shine held a 95-72 lead with 3:32 remaining. Eastern seemingly threw in the towel after that, pulling out Cameron Clark, Kobey Lam and Hayden Blankley.

 “We’re happy with the way we performed,” said Guiao.

 Meanwhile, Clark paced the Hong Kong-based squad with 30 points and 12 rebounds.

 The prolific reinforcement, though, could not do anything in the final minutes as the Elasto Painters pounced on the Glen Yang-less Eastern.

 Yin Lung Cheing and Sheik Sulaiman had 11 points apiece for the guest team, which absorbed a first loss after a 2-0 start.

The Scores:

 RAIN OR SHINE 99 – Thompson 21, Santillan 18, Datu 10, Tiongson 10, Nocum 8, Ildefonso 8, Caracut 7, Belga 5, Clarito 4, Lemetti 3, Asistio 3, Demusis 2.

 EASTERN 81 – Clark 30, Cheung 11, Sulaiman 11, Cao 9, Blankley 7, Lam 6, Zhu 5, Guinchard 2, Chan 0, Leung 0, Pok 0, Xu 0.

Quarterscores:  24-18, 43-34, 70-64, 99-81