Guiao, Painters aim to complete upset bid over Gin Kings

Guiao, Painters aim to complete upset bid over Gin Kings
December 20, 2011 10:27pm

Rain or Shine may have stunned Barangay Ginebra in the opener of their PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinal series but Elasto Painters coach Yeng Guiao believes the Kings are more dangerous when their backs are against the wall.

The Elasto Painters hope to repeat over the embattled Kings and advance into the semifinals of the season-opening tournament in Wednesday's Game 2 of the best-of-three series at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Down by 17 points in the final quarter, Rain or Shine gathered its remaining strength and engineered one of the most spectacular comebacks in PBA playoffs history at the expense of a team known for its never-say-die attitude, a 112-105 overtime win.

Guiao believes his team is capable of repeating over the league's most popular ball club, but needs to be at its best to do it again.

"It would be a nice Christmas gift to ourselves if we can make the semis by (Wednesday). But we have to play our best basketball to beat Ginebra. Our main concern still is to contain their guards. Our offense can take care of itself," said the fiery mentor.

The Rain or Shine victory could have been Powerade's inspiration in its 131-123 upset of top-ranked B-MEG in their do-or-die match Sunday for a similar berth in the semifinals. The Tigers, the lowest ranked playoff team at No. 8, trailed by 17 in the second quarter and 14 early in the fourth.

Guiao hopes Rain or Shine will just be as motivated as it goes for the clincher against Ginebra. "I hope that momentum from the Game One win will fuel us into the semi-finals."

Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen said the Kings need to avoid sending the Elasto Painters often to the foul line as they did in Friday's Game One where Rain or Shine shot 30-of-40 free throws compared to Ginebra's 12-of-20.

"We must stop Rain or Shine of having another game where they shoot 40 free throws," he said. "And we have to be mentally focused every play."

Reigning Governors Cup champion Petron likewise eyes to send Meralco to an early Christmas break in the other best-of-three quarterfinal encounter.

The Boosters downed the Bolts in the opener, 91-84, but Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio is not losing hope in bouncing back in the series.

Again, Powerade's upset is what's keeping Gregorio optimistic of the Bolts' chances.

"The victory of an eighth seed against the first seed inspires us to believe that it can be done," said Gregorio. "I can't help but to challenge our players and say 'why not us'? The other challenge is getting our defense ready and get them (Boosters) out of sync."

"Playing with great urgency is given. But it must be combined with basketball intelligence and composure. All is not lost. We will compete."

Powerade awaits the winner of the Rain or Shine-Ginebra series in the semifinals, while the survivor between Petron and Meralco faces reigning champion Talk 'N Text in the other half of the All-Filipino Final Four. — JVP, GMA News

Source: GMANews.com