CHRISTMAS DAY SPECIAL

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HIS Rain or Shine team may have just lost badly to San Mig Coffee, but coach Yeng Guiao is far from worried.

In fact, Guiao is confident his Elasto Painters will do a big rebound and grab the series lead anew when they tangle Tuesday in their PBA Philippine Cup semifinal duel at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

“We’ll be fine,” said Guiao of the game ushering in the first of three meetings among the combatants until Dec. 29.

San Mig fashioned a 106-82 victory last Friday to bounce back from an 83-91 loss and even up the best-of-seven duel at a game apiece.

Despite dealing the E-Painters their worst defeat yet under Guiao, coach Tim Cone said his Mixers must brace themselves for the rest of the series turning out into a long drawn-out affair.

“They are sure to come out with greater ferocity,” said Cone, adding the days off before the series becomes an every-other-day duel is a welcome one for his starters who have seen extended minutes because of his shortened rotation.

“Having a couple of extra days to prepare and adjust at this point will make the series that much better, but I don’t think the break will favor one team over the other,” stated Cone.

San Mig’s preparations include the insertion of Jonas Villanueva as backup to Mark Barroca. Villanueva has been sidelined by dengue, but Cone said his former starting playmaker is fit enough to play.

The only real concern for Cone is how his charges keep their focus on-court.

“One of the keys will be handling the distractions of Christmas Day for Game 3. That will be a chore for both teams,” said Cone.

Guiao begs to disagree with the latter comment. “It is normal naman to have parties, reunions, on Christmas, but for us naman that can be managed,” he said. “That’s not really a concern for us.”

What is urgently needed from Rain or Shine, he insisted, is a better mind-set not only for Tuesday’s game but for the rest of the series.

“In Game Two we let our frustration get the better of ourselves,” he admitted. “Our objective in Game 3 is to stay in the game mentally, whatever the situation is. We can’t afford to break down mentally.”

Guiao was thrown out last Friday in the midst of a torrid San Mig run that fully turned the tide in favor of San Mig.

And then there was James Yap.

Joe Devance scored 12 of his 17 points in that third quarter, but it was Yap who triggered and sparked that charge with 16 of his 34 points.

“James Yap played exceptionally well the last game, so we have to be ready for him,” said Guiao.

As a whole, the Mixers made 40 of their 79 shots from the field but Guiao simply shrugged off that figure.

“San Mig shot really well, but that was after our mental breakdown. By then iyung momentum at kumpiyansa nila nandoon na,” he said. “Those are the things we’re trying to avoid.”

There is also little tinkering to be made on the X’s and O’s, he added.

“In terms of the technical aspect there’re little adjustments that have to be made, aside from rebounding, of course. In Game 2 we lost the rebounding battle anew (46-49),” noted Guiao. “So we have to stay in the game mentally and stay with them in the rebounding department. And we have to be able to manage James, keep him below his average.” (NC)

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