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MONKEY OFF HIS BACK, GUIAO ZEROES IN ON ELUSIVE ALL-PINOY CROWN
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Finally, Yeng Guiao puts one over a team owned by the old Purefoods franchise in an All-Filipino playoff series.
Guiao’s Rain or Shine Elasto Painters defeated the San Mig Coffee Mixers, 4-2, in their Philippine Cup semifinal series, marking the first time the fiery mentor has won over a team that has a rich All-Filipino winning tradition. Prior to beating San Mig Coffee, Guiao has yet to win over the former Purefoods squad in an All-Filipino playoff series.
Then a sophomore coach in 1991, Guiao steered his Sarsi squad all the way to the best-of-five championship series where they met Ely Capacio and the Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs.
The more experienced Hotdogs prevailed, winning the series in five games.
In 1994, the two teams met again, this time in the best-of-five semifinal series. Purefoods went on to win again over Swift to advance to its seventh straight Finals appearance in the All-Filipino conference, the longest streak by any squad in the PBA.
It was the same tournament where Guiao’s entire Swift squad went bald when the team lost an important game, reminiscent of the Ysmael-YCO game in the MICAA when Ysmael lost and went bald after losing to the Painters.
Except for team manager Elmer Yanga, whose salt and pepper hair was dyed black, all members of the squad shaved their heads, perhaps starting Guiao’s new look.
More than a decade later, Guiao would meet Purefoods anew, this time in the 2005-06 Philippine Cup.
With his team prevailing over the same squad in the Fiesta Conference of the same season, Guiao’s troops enjoyed a psychological advantage when they clashed anew in the Philippine Cup Finals.
But Guiao and his wards were defeated by James Yap and company in six games.
Guiao said he wasn’t aware of the fact that he defeated the old Purefoods team for the first time in an All-Filipino series.
“Kapag kasi lumagpas na ng limang taon, nakakalimutan ko na yung nangyayari,” Guiao said.
But his Rain or Shine squad was brimming with confidence the moment it took on the Coffee Mixers, the same squad it defeated in last season’s Governors’ Cup Finals.
“Malaki ang kumpiyansa ng mga players and they have something to prove. They felt this tournament is the best time to prove that they can get it done without the help of an import,” said Guiao, who is eyeing his seventh championship in the PBA.
After getting the monkey off his back, Guiao now sets his sights on winning the only championship that has remained elusive over the years. His Elasto Painters will have to do it against the mighty Talk N Text Tropang Texters, who are also seeking history by trying to become the first team to win the Philippine Cup in three straight years.
“Either I win it the first time or I will be struck out on my third try to win a championship,” Guiao said in jest in his third trip to the Philippine Cup championship round.
For Guiao, there’s an added motivation for him to win considering that he’s been aching to get his first All-Filipino crown.
“Of course, ito na lang yung kulang ko. But more than anything else, we want to win this for a greater purpose,” he added.
Paul Lee, one of Guiao’s steady players on the squad, tried to rally his teammates to win the All-Filipino crown and reward the coach for all the things he had done to the team.
“Sabi ko nga sa mga teammates ko, let’s win this All-Filipino for coach Yeng dahil wala pa siyang All-Filipino title. I think they understand that,” added Lee. (RJ)
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