YENG Guiao knows the odds are stacked on Rain or Shine in its PBA Commissioner's Cup quarterfinals series against Converge.
The veteran coach said the sixth seeded Elasto Painters are facing a no. 3 FiberXers' side that is capable of finishing within the Top 2 standings and hold a twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs.
Converge was on track of finishing at either no. 1 or 2 had it not lost its final outing against San Miguel Beer, 116-113, in a game where it battled back from as much as a 19-point deficit only for the rally to fall short in the endgame.
"I think Converge could have easily made it first or second also kung hindi lang dun sa breaks na muntik na nilang nahabol yung San Miguel. Ibig sabihin kaya nilang mag 1 or 2. Nasa no. 3 sila ngayon," Guiao pointed out.
"Pero ang kalaban namin parang 1 or 2 rin," he added, obviously referring to the FiberXers' load of potential.
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After initially on pace of landing within the Top 2 spots, Rain or Shine fell all the way down at no. 6, no thanks to a string of losses going to the stretch run of the eliminations.
The Elasto Painters had to pull through a hard-earned 106-96 win over TNT in the final playdate of the elimination phase to avoid further going down the standings and arranged the playoff duel against the FiberXers.
Guiao noted how Converge has become a different team in the mid-season conference with talented rookies Jordan Heading and Justine Baltazar coming on board.
"Ang laki ng nilakas ng Converge. Magandang addition sa kanila si Balti, magandang addition sa kanila si Heading. Tapos yung import nila (Cheick Diallon) terno dun sa nilalaro nila," said the Rain or Shine coach.
Good thing, the quarterfinals matchup is a best-of-three series, according to Guiao.
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"At least best-of-three. Hindi kami agrabyado," said the Rain or Shine coach, whose team avoided going through a playoff against Magnolia for the last quarterfinals berth had it lost to TNT.
Facing Converge in a series also even things out with Rain or Shine, notwithstanding the Elastp Painters' 103-96 loss to the same team in their lone encounter this conference.
"So psychologically, I think they have an advantage over us. But we'll try to find a way to overcome that advantage," said Guiao.
"Pagdating naman ng quarterfinals, zero-zero na ang lahat, e. Ibig sabihin you can throw your previous record or whatever you achieved outside the window. And everybody starts on an even slate."
The quarterfinals is to begin on Wednesday. (RG)
