Rain or Shine faces a daunting task against the Grand Slam-seeking TNT Tropang 5G in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals, the same team that bounced the Elasto Painters from the previous two semis.
There’s no doubt in coach Yeng Guiao’s mind the TNT Tropang 5G even without Rondae Hollis-Jefferson are just as formidable.
Guiao had this to say after the Elasto Painters beat NLEX twice in the quarterfinals to punch a ticket to the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semifinals.
“Pero pagdating ng laban, pagka nandyan na TNT, pag kaharap mo na sina [Calvin] Oftana, sina [RR] Pogoy, tapos may [Jordan] Heading pa sila ngayon — akala mo nagpapalakas sa kanila si RHJ, pero pag nandyan na sila, All-Filipino, malakas pa rin sila,” Guiao said during the post-game press conference on Saturday, June 21.
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Coang Yeng isn’t exactly wrong. Though they stumbled to three straight losses to start the season-ending conference without injured stars Jayson Castro and Rey Nambatac, the Tropang 5G found a way.
With Oftana and Pogoy leading the assault, TNT got through Magnolia’s defensive bulwark twice to make their way into the semifinals.
Guiao said it’s tough to beat a team on a mission to pull off what only five teams in the PBA achieved. Of course, TNT is chasing the rare Grand Slam this season.
“I think they have a purpose. Mahirap yung kalaban mo na merong pinpuntirya talaga, na gusto nilang gawin,” Guaio said of the Grand Slam-seeking TNT.
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History is also against the Elasto Painters, with TNT winning their last two semifinal clashes.
The fiery mentor, though, chose to see that as an advantage for the Rain or Shine side which last won a championship in 2016.
“Pero siguro sa dami nang beses na nakalaban namin sila, we’ll be a little bit more comfortable this time,” he said.
“Medyo alam na rin naman ano mas makakaganda sa game plan namin.”
Guiao can’t wait to be proven right as Rain or Shine takes on TNT in the best-of-seven semifinals which start on Wednesday, June 25.