ANOTHER LOSS TOO MUCH – COACH YENG
For the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, the Game Two defeat is easy to bear, but another one in the next game would be too much.
“San Mig Coffee is too experienced a team. We can’t afford to let them seize the initiative,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
After splitting the first two games, Rain or Shine and San Mig Coffee go at each other again Wednesday, fighting for the 2-1 lead in their PLDT myDSL PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven finale at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Guiao took some time to attend the post-game interview Sunday, but the fiery Rain or Shine mentor insisted he’s not fazed by their 70-80 loss.
“I’m not worried. It’s a seven-game series and like I’ve said, the longer this series takes, the better for us,” said Guiao.
“Winning Game One gives us that advantage, the adjustment advantage. Now, we can go make the adjustments and the series is still even,” Guiao added.
He stressed, though, that they couldn’t afford to let the Mixers make it two in a row.
“We need to find the proper adjustments and execute better in Game Three,” said Guiao.
San Mig Coffee sprang back strong from its 80-83 Game One loss with the Mixers pounding the E-Painters’ woeful shooting in Game Two.
Acknowledging San Mig Coffee’s good defense, Guiao said what hastened their downfall were bungled layups, open shots and free throws.
“We struggled all game long with our offense,” said Guiao, ruing their miserable 37.2 percent field shooting and 50 percent foul shots.
The Mixers took the half at 37-24 as the Elasto Painters went 0-of-10 from beyond the arc and 10-of-38 overall from the field in the first 24 minutes of play.
It was San Mig’s first win in four meetings with Rain or Shine in the all-Filipino tourney, but the series-equalizer could fire up the Mixers in Game Three.
And the two-day break could refresh the Mixers.
“That’s why we have to be on our toes in Game Three,” said Guiao. (SB)
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