It’s mission accomplished for Rain or Shine.
Head coach Yeng Guiao was all smiles heading into the holiday break after the Elasto Painters hit their target of winning four straight wins in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup before the year ends.
“It’s a great feeling that our five games this December (we won four). Even before the conference started we talked about our target of winning three or four out of our five games in December,” the fiery mentor said.
Rain or Shine completed the feat in a 124-112 victory over winless Terrafirma Sunday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City for a 4-1 win-loss record inside the top six in the standings.
“We accomplished our objective. It’s really a nice feeling to go into vacation or the Christmas break with four straight wins,” Guiao said.
The Elasto Painters started on the wrong foot in the mid-season, import-laden tournament when they fell victim to Meralco, 111-121, last 1 December.
But Rain or Shine quickly recovered and found resolve with a morale-boosting, 99-81, victory over guest team Hong Kong Eastern.
Then, they started rolling.
Behind the consistent monster numbers coming from efficient import Deon Thompson and excellent support from locals led by Adrian Nocum, Santi Santillan, Jhonard Clarito, Andrei Caracut and rookies Caelan Tiongson and Felix Pangilinan-Lemetti, the Elasto Painters crushed defending champion San Miguel Beer, 107-93, eked out a 102-100 escape over Magnolia before taking down the clingy Dyip.
“I’m happy with the way we performed at least in our first five games,” Guiao said.
Rain or Shine will have more than two weeks of rest before jumping back into action against Blackwater on 8 January.
“Of course, there’s a new challenge facing us in January. New year, new challenge for us. We have seven games in January so that’s where our minds will be focused,” Guiao said.
“We don’t play until January 8. My worry really is that we might lose our sharpness or our routines may veer away from what we’re doing now because there will be distractions.”
Guiao could only remind his men to be disciplined during the break.
“So, we’re really asking the players even though we’re not on our usual routine, we’ll have a few days break. They will celebrate Christmas with their families then we go back to practice.”
“I just hope we’ll not lose that sharpness heading into our January 8 game.”