Although Rain or Shine set the tone in the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals with a 105-97 Game One win, Elasto Painters head coach Yeng Guiao said he expects closer battles as the series progresses.
“It’s nice to be back in the finals, but it ain’t over ’til we win four games. Alaska will come back in Game 2, and they’re a tough team,” Guiao said, downplaying winning just the opening game of a best-of-seven series.
“It will be a lot closer the next time. But I hope I’m wrong, in our favor. Lumamang kami but that will always happen. It is a game of runs it the other team will always make their run.”
The Elasto Painters led by double-digits in the first quarter but had to fend off a comeback try from the Aces. The Aces led 77-74 entering the pay-off period before Rain or Shine closed the game with a 31-20 fourth quarter.
Guiao shared his main concern entering the finals was the Aces’ full-court press, but he was delighted to see his troops handle the situation well in Game One.
“We were worried about their press, but we handled the ball pretty well against their press. The big shot was when they tried to attack us but Paul Lee got open,” Guiao said of Lee, who hit a triple which pushed Rain or Shine’s lead to 99-94.
“That was really sweet because you made them pay for pressing us,” Guiao added.
Moving forward, Guiao said he wants the team to be prepared again for Alaska’s defensive game plan.
“We will push the ball every time. Their defense stops momentum. If we can beat their press, we will look at the video again, we will do it again the next game. I am just worried but we didn’t turn the ball over too many times against their press,” he said.
