Animated head coach Yeng Guiao of Rain or Shine sees the positives despite his squad's squandering a double-digit lead against Magnolia in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup on Wednesday, Dec. 18.
Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao lauded his charges' character after they averted disaster against Magnolia via a 102-100 verdict in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate on Wednesday, Dec. 18.
The Elasto Painters, who strung three consecutive victories, teetered on the brink when they squandered a double-digit lead deep in the second half.
But Guiao welcomed the response of his wards, who refused to fold up.
“I think the good thing about this is ang ganda noong balik namin. Nabalikan pa namin 'yun. Usually, kung 'yung dating team namin, kapag nag-collapse kami ng ganoon, 'di na kami makakabalik,” said Guiao.
“Pero ito, I see it as a good sign. Yes, we lost momentum, nakuha nila 'yung lead. Akala ko, sabi ko, wala na, baka 'di na kami makabalik. Nakabalik pa rin,” he added.
Guiao said that it was a signal that his Elastopainters have learned from their old ways and are now entering a new mindset where they can get back on their feet even as the Hotshots erased a 77-64 Rain or Shine lead and put themselves ahead, 86-98, with 6:44 to go in the ball game.
But his Elastopainters clamped down on defense and allowed only two points from their foes the rest of the way.
And, on the other end, they were also able to manufacture offense, led by Player of the Game Andrei Caracut who powered the squad's 16-2 finisher.
[WATCH: Andrei Caracut on fire in fourth quarter for Rain or Shine | PBA Highlights]
Despite his wards having to go through the harder route to victory, Guiao could only see the positives.
“So, ibig sabihin, nag-iiba na 'yung character ng team. It’s a good sign. Malaking bagay 'yung four-point shot ni Andrei at siyempre, malaking tulong 'yung foul situation ni [Ricardo] Ratliffe. But that’s really the way to win a game, eh,” said Guiao, referring to Magnolia’s import fouling out in the final minutes of the game.
“Kung nawalan ka ng momentum, you must just find a way to get back into the game. That’s what we did. That’s why if for that alone, magandang panalo ito kahit hirap kami,” he said.
Caracut paced the Elastopainters with 15 points on 4-of-6 shooting and three assists while Deon Thompson had a double-double of 18 points and 15 boards.
Santi Santillan, responsible for Rain or Shine's strong start, ended up with 17 markers.
Rain or Shine improved to 3-1 and will next play the hapless Terrafirma Dyip on Sunday, Dec. 22, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
Meanwhile, Magnolia, which banked on Ratliffe’s 27 points and 13 rebounds but still further slipped to 1-4, take another shot at stopping its skid against NLEX on Friday, Dec. 20, also in the same Pasig venue.