Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Yeng anticipates PBA rarity: Independent teams’ dual bid for top four


Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao doesn’t prefer anyone for their potential foes in the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals.

Entering the playoffs as the seventh seed, the Elasto Painters could face either Phoenix Super LPG or perennial contenders San Miguel Beer.

Both squads have a crack at finishing the elimination round as the no. 2 seed.

“Sabi nga ni Tim Cone n’on sa akin, beware of what you wish for,” the champion mentor said after their 112-111 win over Converge, Sunday. “Bahala sila. Basta kung sinong lumabas na kalaban namin, paghahandaan naming mabuti.”

As of this posting, the Fuel Masters are taking on TNT at the Philsports Arena, looking to beat the Tropang Giga to secure the second spot.

But should they lose, Coach Jamike Jarin’s wards would fall to no. 4 instead, with the Beermen (8-3) earning the said seeding instead.

If Rain or Shine and Phoenix won’t cross paths in the quarters starting next week, Guiao believes that it would mean a lot for the independent teams.

2023-24-PBA-Commissioners-Cup-Phoenix-Super-LPG-Jamike-Jarin-scaled Yeng anticipates PBA rarity: Independent teams' dual bid for top four Basketball News PBA  - philippine sports news

“Ang nasa isip ko, kung hindi namin makakatapat ‘yung Phoenix, ibig sabihin dalawa kaming independent teams na may chance na makapasok. Na very rare, sa Top Four, merong dalawang independent team makapasok,” he said.

It’s not to say, though, that they would rather face the Beermen instead, a team that finished the elimination round with five consecutive wins.

But Guiao admitted that he will always be cheering for the independent clubs in the league, and his charges will be ready for whatever may happen.

#ReadMore  Lesson learned for Beau Belga

“In my mind, maganda sana ‘yun, pero makakatapat mo naman San Miguel, parang wala kang itulak kabigin,” he said. “Pero I’m always cheering for the independent teams pagdating sa ganito, kasi independent team din kami.

“Alam namin gaano kahirap makarating dun sa semifinals eh. Ganun lang, laban lang ng parehas, tingnan mo hanggang saan ka makakarating.”

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.


You May Also Like

Basketball

TNT booked the first ticket to the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals after finishing off the gritty Rain or Shine in Game 5...

Basketball

Yeng Guiao blamed the referees for costing Rain or Shine what could have been a crucial win in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup...

Basketball

TNT did not allow Rain or Shine to garner any more confidence by taking Game 4 of their PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup semifinal...

Basketball

Rain or Shine avoided falling into a dangerous spot as it showed grit in the endgame to foil TNT, 103-98, and take Game 3...

Basketball

TNT rode its luck in escaping Rain or Shine, 93-91,to take a 2-0 lead in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals Friday night at the...

Basketball

Gian Mamuyac is staying patient as he continues to work his way back into game shape after being sidelined for months due to a...

Basketball

The usual suspects came through when needed most as TNT survived Rain or Shine, 88-84, to take Game 1 of their PBA Season 49...

Basketball

ANTIPOLO – Yeng Guiao wouldn’t have minded if Converge qualified for the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup semifinals instead of his own team. Rain...

Advertisement