Painters showcase progress in overcoming tough games

Rain or Shine’s Adrian Nocum (1) puts up a layup against the San Miguel Beermen.

(PBA Images)

MANILA, Philippines — Rain or Shine has seen its share of tough matchups thus far in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

The Elasto Painters are undefeated through five games in the import-laden conference, but they battled through hard situations to get there.

They had to go through the TNT Tropang 5G and 7-foot-3 behemoth Bol Bol and without their import in the last six minutes.

In their next game, import Jaylen Johnson had to sit out the game due to suspension, but the Elasto Painters managed to grind out a win over the Meralco Bolts.

Wednesday’s game against San Miguel also tested the team’s resolve.

Rain or Shine led by as much as 25 points in the game, but the deficit was sliced to just two, 97-99, with seven minutes remaining.

The Elasto Painters, though, stood their ground and did just enough to grab the 116-112 victory against the formidable Beermen.

Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao, after the game, tipped his hat to the team’s progress.

“Ito ang progress na sinasabi ko. You progress in your maturity, you progress in your character, how to fight against adversity,” Guiao told reporters after the game.

“Lahat ng mahirap dinaanan na namin. Lumabang kami ng walang import na kalaban si Bol Bol, lumabang kami ng walang import for the whole game kalaban si Meralco. Nag-lead kami ng 25 points tapos naubos pero naipanalo pa rin,” he added.

“Mabuti yung team nagdadaan sa ganun kasi it really strengthens you and tests your character. So good sign pa rin ito para sa amin.”

Rain or Shine remains the only undefeated team in the conference with a 5-0 record.

The team is now almost on the cusp of getting into the quarterfinals. Usually, if a team gets six wins, they earn a ticket to the playoffs.

“Tingnan natin kung hanggang saan ang suwerte sa amin. Ang importante lang maka six or sevens wins. Ang kwenta namin, six or seven wins, pasok ka na ng quarters. So five wins kami, baka isang panalo na lang nasa quarters na kami,” Guiao said.

And while they were able to get huge wins against great teams early, the Elasto Painters will still have tough challenges to come. They will still face the Converge FiberXers on Friday, followed by Terrafirma, Phoenix, Magnolia, NLEX, Barangay Ginebra and Titan Ultra in their remaining games.

“Pero para makasigurado siguro kailangan pitong panalo para makasigurado. Yun lang ang objective namin, we don’t even mind – number one ka, number two ka sa standings, ang importante lang, makarating ka sa next round.”