Game Today (University of Southeastern Philippines, Davao City)
5 p.m. – Rain or Shine vs Meralco
Coach Yeng Guiao hopes to see a Rain or Shine that plays with ferocity in Davao City today when the Elasto Painters take on the unpredictable Meralco in the PBA Philippine Cup at the University of Southeastern Philippines gym.
Rain or Shine may enter today’s Petron Saturday Special game against Meralco tied for fourth with idle Talk ‘N Text for fourth place at four wins and two losses but Guiao appears like a coach whose team is lagging behind in the team standings.
“Nakukulangan pa din ako. We won, but it’s not a really nice win,” Guiao said after Rain or Shine’s 86-83 victory over Globalport last Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Siguro it’s just our experience that won the game for us against a less experience team. Although nanalo kami, I’m not in a celebrating mood. We still need to work on some things,” added Guiao.
He has reasons to be disappointed.
The Elasto Painters sizzled from the start and took a 49-36 halftime lead, only to see the Batang Pier come charging back in the second half and even took an 84-83 edge late in the contest.
Free throw woes also hounded Jeff Chan and Beau Belga, who combined for eight bungled free throws in the fourth quarter. In all, ROS made just 19-of-31 freebies during the contest.
Guiao was disappointed about that stats.
If not for Paul Lee’s steady hands, the Painters could have suffered another setback.
Lee’s foul shots with five seconds to go enabled the Painters to seal the deal.
“Our energy has been inconsistent, that is why our game is still inconsistent,” said Guiao, who last week threatened to trade players who he feels are underperforming. He issued the warning after absorbing a 23-point loss to the Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters.
“We’re hoping that we ride the momentum some more when we face Meralco on Saturday. We’re a little concerned about our free throw shooting and rebounding. I hope we can fix that in practice,” added Guiao.
ROS will face a Meralco side that lost to TNT, 80-72, last Tuesday at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
After starting the conference with a perfect 2-0 record under new mentor Norman Black, the Bolts went 1-2 in their last three games.
The game features an interesting backcourt match up between Gilas Pilipinas members – Lee, Chan and Gabe Norwood for Rain or Shine against Gary David and Jared Dillinger for Meralco.
At the frontline, Belga – a Gilas Pilipinas reserve – will be joined by ROS teammates JR Quinahan, Raymond Almazan and Jervy Cruz against Meralco’s Cliff Hodge, Sean Anthony and Reynel Hugnatan.