Rain or Shine has been on a semis streak in the PBA recently, but the Elasto Painters want a return to the Finals for the first time since their 2016 Commissioner's Cup title run.
The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters truly are one tough bunch.
That sentiment has been proven again as ROS managed to complete a quarterfinals comeback against Converge in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, frustrating the higher-seeded FiberXers for a 2-1 series win.
Faced with a do-or-die Game 3, veteran forward Beau Belga attributed to Rain or Shine’s more extensive experience in knockout games that helped them through this time.
[Related: Deon Thompson ‘most underrated' import, big part of Rain or Shine's success, says Guiao]
“Tulad nung sinabi sa amin ni coach Yeng {Guiao], kung hindi kami naka-abot sa semis ngayon failure itong conference na to,” Belga said.
“Tuluy-tuloy kaming nasa playoffs eh, so plus yung experience namin sa do-or-die, nas-survive namin eh. Kumbaga yung character ng grupo, pagdating sa dikdikan, may ibubuga,” he added.
With the win, the Elasto Painters are in the PBA semifinals for the third straight conference.
Waiting in the wings are the no. 2 TNT Tropang Giga, and this latest showdown also marks the third straight ROS-TNT meeting, with both teams meeting in the Season 48 Philippine Cup quarterfinals and Season 49 Governors’ Cup semis.
Both teams split their last two playoff meetings, and the Elasto Painters are eager to take victory again especially after losing the previous matchup in the Governors’ Cup.
To add extra incentive, ROS is looking at a prime opportunity to make the PBA Finals, a feat the Elasto Painters have not done since their last title in the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup.
“I’m excited kasi we’ll face them [TNT] again. Tinalo namin sila nung All-Filipino, last conference tinalo kami sa semis. Sabi nga ni coach Yeng, tinalo tayo 4-1 last time, sana wag mangyari. Yun ang motivation samin,” Belga said.
“Talagang gusto namin mag-Finals. It’s been so long. Pagdating ng Finals naman, anybody’s ball game naman. Kung sino mas matibay yun ang mags-survive.”
(With reports from Gillian Trinidad/One Sports)