By REYNALD MAGALLON
It’s nothing to lose but everything to gain for Rain or Shine in its semis showdown with the powerhouse San Miguel.
ROS coach Yeng Guiao said his team is far from being pressured and fazed by the thought of challenging the defending champions, noting that regardless of the result, his young team will come out as a winner in the series.
For the fiery mentor, reaching the semifinals and ending a five-year Final Four drought was already an achievement in itself and everything that will happen from hereon will only be for the development of the team.
“Itong seven-game series na ito, this will be our learning experience kalaban mo pa yung San Miguel so kahit anong mangyari panalo na kami dito, walang mawawala sa amin madagdagan pa yung kaalaman namin,” said the fiery mentor in the aftermath of the 110-109 victory over TNT to forge the semis pairing.
“Mga young guys namin, ang sinasabi ko lang, this is going to be a toughness test. We will see how tough we are in this situation. We will know our real character. At least bata pa itong mga ito pero marunong nang lumaban,” he added.
Guiao is also taking pride in the fact that Rain or Shine is the first independent team to reach the semifinals since four years ago or when Phoenix advanced to the semis of the 2020 Philippine Cup during the PBA bubble in Clark, Pampanga.
“Makarating ka lang kasi ng semis, ibig sabihin noon, mayroon kang na bump off na elite na team. Pag top four ka, independent team ka, mayroong nalaglag na matinding team talaga,” Guiao stressed.
“That in itself is a source of pride, a source of achievement,” he added.
Guiao also said that he’s excited for his young players to experience the playoffs against a team that is very much familiar with it and already knows how to win the most important games.
“This is the way to develop talent – making them experience the playoffs, yung dikdikan, adjustment sa laro, game planning, emotional toll sa laro. Gusto ko maramdaman nila lahat yun, kasi doon sila gagaling,” he added.
