RUNNING THE OPPOSITION TO THE GROUND
Toughness has always been at the top of coach Yeng Guiao’s calling card, and it’s no surprise that his Rain or Shine Elasto Painters are flexing their muscles in their best-of-seven semifinal series against Petron Blaze.
Guiao’s personality has also rubbed off on his boys and everyone takes the coach’s words by heart.
Paul Lee is one of the vital cogs for the E-Painters this season and it is evident that Guiao’s influence is really a driving force for this team.
“Kailangan lang naming maging matatag,” he said. “Kailangan tough lang sa laro kasi si coach Yeng, nagbigay na ng instruction na pag malambot kami, bibigyan lang niya kami ng dalawang minuto.”
“Sabi niya, ‘Pag di kayo aggressive, pag di kayo matatag, ibabangko ko na kayo buong series.’ Wake up call sa amin yun kaya kahit sino ang ipasok niya, lumalaban,” Lee said.
He added, “Tinatiyaga namin kahit lamang sila sa laro. Sinasabi lang ni coach na pag nasa loob kayo, magpakapagod na kayo kasi marami namang papalit.”
Rain or Shine’s deep rotation has been a key factor in the series, with Guiao expertly shuffling his men.
“Yung rotation namin napakahaba talaga. Alam namin yung roles namin na pag pinasok ka, kailangan 100 percent yung ibibigay mo, kahit pa one or two minutes lang yun,” the hard-nosed sentinel from Tondo said.
“Sa amin, kailangan lang sundan namin yung game plan. Andun lang kami every game, kailangan lang maging tough tsaka yung aggressiveness dapat hindi bumaba. Yun ang key sa series na to, dapat tumakbo kami ng tumakbo.” (RL)
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