PERSONAL QUEST SPICE UP DUEL
RAIN or Shine coach Yeng Guiao can look at his trophy case and count six titles there. But not one Philippine Cup.
In contrast, Talk N Text Norman Black could count on one All-Filipino championship among his 10 crowns.
Whether Guiao gets to realize a very long quest or Black can fully celebrate his return to the pros would be known starting Wednesday when the Tropang Texters and Elasto Painters kick off their PBA Philippine Cup Finals series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The teams’ members have projected each game of the best-of-seven duel to be a scrape-and-claw affair since there are apparent similarities in both their styles and temperament, like their preference for fast-paced and physical plays.
The players, all healthy and pumped-up, are also ready, with the likes of Jayson Castro, Ranidel de Ocampo, Larry Fonacier, Kelly Williams and Jimmy Alapag spearheading TNT’s charge and Jeff Chan, Paul Lee, Jervy Cruz, Beau Belga and Gabe Norwood bannering Rain or Shine.
The opposing coaches should hog their fair share of the limelight, however, due to their respective personal quest.
Black wants to finish what predecessor Chot Reyes started by steering the Texters to a third straight championship in the import-less tourney and in the process bag the perpetual Emilio “Jun” Bernardino Jr. Trophy awarded to a Philippine Cup three-peater.
Aside from filling up the void in his war chest, Guiao has other itches to scratch.
Since assuming his current post in 2010, Guiao’s Rain or Shine has yet to win over TNT in three meetings in the playoffs. Also, in their only other Finals meeting, Black’s San Miguel Beer squad took just five games to finish off Guiao’s Swift crew in the 1993 Governors’ Cup.
Guiao, however, said the “important” thing is now, when his E-Painters want to prove their last season-ending Governors Cup title run was realize not through sheer luck.
“We’re just proud to be here (Finals),” said Guiao. “By just getting here, we’ve been able to prove that the last conference was not a fluke, that this team is for real.”
Before returning to a head coaching job in the PBA for the first time since 2002, Black steered the Ateneo Blue Eagles to a fifth straight UAAP championship. But there lie the roots of some of his trepidation.
“They (collegiate finals) are best-of-threes and when you throw the first punch by winning the first game you have basically knocked the other guy out. Here, even if you’re able to throw the first punch, there’s no guarantee,” he explained.
“A seven-game series is a new challenge for me.” (NC)
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
