IT WAS A BIG TEST for hardiness against Magnolia and because of that, Rain or Shine (ROS) coach Yeng Guiao believes his youth-laden charges will be better equipped when they challenge defending champion TNT in the PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals.
“We’re a small team and beating Magnolia (in sudden death) in Game 5, when everything was at stake (was a big boost),” said Mr. Guaio after defeating the Hotshots, 114-110, on Saturday night. .
That series was an up-and-down affair for the Elasto Painters, who showed strong resilience to bounce back from Game 2 and 4 losses, 69-121 and 100-129, respectively, and get the job done with a thrilling KO.
Since Magnolia was the more experienced team in the playoffs, Mr. Guiao told his young guns like Jhonard Clarito, Adrian Nocum, Andrei Caracut, Keith Datu, Anton Asistio and Felix Lemetti to watch the veteran Hotshots closely and pick something up or do it.
Well, that’s exactly what the E-Painters’ did with a big help from the ever-reliable Aaron Fuller.
In the top seven semis, it will be the same for ROS against Tropang Giga, who have the likes of Jayson Castro, Kelly Williams, RR Pogoy, the fast-rising Calvin Oftana and the ever-strengthening Rondae Hollis. – Jefferson.
And like Magnolia, Chot Reyes-coached TNT is a heavyweight with a strong defense.
A best-of-seven Final Four between TNT, who topped Group A, and ROS, the No. 1 in Group B, will kick off on Wednesday.
The characters will participate in the playoffs for the second consecutive conference after battling for the best-of-three spot in the quarterfinals of the Philippine Cup Season 48. That went the full distance with the Elasto Painters who won by the skin of their teeth in the determiner, 110-109. – Olmin Leyba
Source link
