GAME PLAN IN THE WAREHOUSE
Two-games-to-one up, and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters still have something up their sleeves in anticipation of possible game adjustments by the Talk n Text Tropang Texters.
Coach Yeng Guiao said they have a game plan stored in the “warehouse.”
“We had anticipated some things they might do (in Game Three). Pero di nila ipinakita so we just kept our game plan in the warehouse. We’ll probably make use of it based on the kind of defense they will play in Game Four,” said Guiao.
“We didn’t see an adjustment on their defense. And so we kept doing what’s working for us. Kung ano ang uubra para sa amin, yon pa rin ang ginawa namin,” Guiao added.
It’s no secret the Elasto Painters are making a killing on a simple two-man game, striking hard on pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop.
And as in Game Two, the E-Painters outgunned the Texters, hammering out a 109-97 victory to move ahead, 2-1, in the best-of-seven finals series.
“It’s the same as the last game. We gave them too many points,” rued Talk n Text coach Jong Uichico.
For the record, Rain or Shine distinguished itself the first team in six years to put in at least 100 points in back-to-back fashion in a PBA Finals.
Ace local player Paul Lee best typifies their determination to go all the way to win the series.
Even with a badly damaged tooth structure, Lee vows he’ll stay in the series and do his best to help the team get a second crown after their 2012 Governors’ Cup title run.
“Kahit ano ang mangyari, I will come back. Gusto kong manalo,” said Lee.
“Hindi na muna siya mag-a-undergo ng kung ano mang procedure. Temporary remedy na lang muna para matapos niya ang series,” said team physical Edgar Eufemio.
“Baka i-root canal siya. Matagal ang recovery non,” Eufemio also said.
Losing a tooth with two more badly damaged by a wayward elbow from Talk n Text import Ivan Johnson in the third quarter Sunday, Lee went straight to the lockers and missed precious minutes but returned towards the end, helping ROS get the upper hand in the best-of-seven series following a dominant 109-97 victory.
Lee suffered the injury as he drew a charging foul from Johnson.
“Yan ang tinatawag na Finals! Draw charge pa Paul Lee,” said the ROS star on his Twitter account @lethalweapon03.
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