Veteran coach Yeng Guiao got the better end of the match against his former squad, NLEX, as he steered Rain or Shine to a 110-100 triumph, securing the Elasto Painters of a quarterfinal round slot in the PBA Commissioner's Cup on 4 December at the Philsports Arena.
The Elasto Painters outlasted the Road Warriors — whom Guiao had coached for six years.
For Guiao — who is leading Rain or Shine back to the playoffs after missing the quarterfinals for two straight conferences — the feat is special.
"This is very meaningful because we saw stronger teams like TNT and Meralco not making it to the quarterfinals, while on the other hand, we made it… even when we were just being assembled," Guiao said.
But Rain or Shine can't celebrate for long as it faces top-ranked Bay Area in the playoffs. The visiting Dragons carry a twice-to-beat advantage for being No. 1 at the end of the elimination round.
The scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 110 — Pearson 24, Caracut 19, Nieto 12, Santillan 11, Nambatac 10, Borboran 10, Mamuyac 7, Asistio 5, Norwood 3, Ponferrada 1, Ildefonso 0, Torres 0
NLEX 100 — Clark 37, Trollano 15, Alas 13, Chua 12, Ganuelas-Rosser 9, Nieto 6, Miranda 3, Varilla 2, Rosales 0
QUARTERS: 31-27, 51-43, 80-75, 110-100
