Guiao Believes ROS Will make Phl Cup Finals

Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao is convinced his team has what it takes to beat Powerade in their PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinal showdown beginning Jan. 4 at the Cuneta Astrodome.

“I feel really good the way we’re playing. I think we can take on Powerade in a seven-game series,” said Guiao.

Guiao and his Elasto Painters have good reasons to be optimistic, on top of these was their swashbuckling ride spiked by their two-game sweep of the Barangay Ginebra Kings in their quarterfinals match-up.

The Elasto Painters are indeed upbeat and confident but will not throw caution in the air.

“You have to respect what Powerade has achieved. They’re peaking at the right time and we have to address their strength at the point guard and the wing positions,” said Guiao, not foolish to take the Tigers lightly.

The veteran bench chieftain stressed the Tigers can be very dangerous if not handled well.

He’s well aware of what Gary David can do. What makes him comfortable is having at his disposal defensive stoppers to throw at the Powerade hotshot.

“We have tall and quick players to match up with David,” said Guiao, referring to 6-foot-4 Gabe Norwood, 6-foot-1 guards Ryan Arana and Jireh Ibañez.

The RoS wing defenders did a good job on David, holding him down to 14 points as the Elasto Painters tamed the Tigers, 96-93, in their elimination-round meeting last Oct. 9.

Guiao believes his team can fare as well in the other match-ups.

Overall, Guiao is comfortable with the thought that the Elasto Painters have evolved to a fighting unit that can make the finals.

“It’s gratifying to see the team transform and acquire the toughness to perform at this level. The guys have settled down to embracing our system the same way the old Red Bull team embraced our system and team philosophy. Everyone is equal and there are no superstars,” said Guiao.

Rookie Paul Lee, Jeff Chan, JR Quinahan and Norwood are among the team’s lead lights, all four being in the top 24 in the league's stats race.

Chan leads the team in scoring with 15.5 points a game, Lee paces the squad in assists (4.5) and in steals (0.9), Quinahan is tops in rebounds (6.4) and in blocks (1.3) while Norwood has solid all-around norms of 7.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 0.9 steal and 0.4 block.

The team also boasts of the inside presence of Beau Belga, Larry Rodriguez and Jervy Cruz and the backcourt contribution of TY Tang.(pr)

Chan sizzles for E-Painters

COMING into the current season, Jeffrei Chan set one goal, and that is to be consistent.

So far, Chan has been proving to be just that in helping Rain or Shine become a real force to contend with in the PBA Philippine Cup while earning the Accel-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week honors for the period Oct. 17 to 23.

Formerly known to be primarily an offensive threat, the 27-year-old southpaw has turned his game on both ends of the court several notches higher and it showed in the way he led the Elasto Painters in scoring back-to-back wins the past week and into the lead of the season-opening tourney.

“He’s been the most consistent for us,” noted Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao of the small forward who averaged 17.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.0 steals and as many blocks in victories over Meralco and Alaska.

“People tend to look at his offense but his defense has improved a lot from last year. He’s also gotten to be a better passer. He’s been working hard in practice. Very deserving,” added Guiao.

The small forward picked at No. 17 overall by Red Bull in the 2008 Draft before landing in his new team two seasons ago said he just wanted to do his part.

“Gusto ko lang ma-i-angat ang laro ko at matulungan ang team,” said Chan. “Kaya nga after practice stay pa ako sa gym, mga 30 minutes up to an hour. Basta matapos lang ang routines ko.”

The hard work has indeed been paying off for the man who averaged just 7.6 ppg and shot 25.9 percent from the area he is most feared at – beyond the arc – last season.

Through five games, the former Far Eastern U standout has been averaging a team-leading 16 points to go with 3.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.4 steals.

In a cruising 89-84 win over Meralco last Wednesday, Chan made 14 points to share team scoring honors with Gabe Norwood.

He was at his fieriest yet against Alaska last Sunday, hitting his first five triples and going on to finish with 20 points in giving the E-Painters the hot start they needed in fashioning a 120-84 massacre.

Those triumphs pushed Rain or Shine into the top of the standings with a 4-1 win-loss slate and Chan said the tougher grind lies ahead.

“Ang immediate goal ng team is to make the semifinals at lahat kami of one mind para ma-realize namin iyon. Kaya wala pa ring pahinga at marami pang hard work na kailangan,” he stated.(pr)

One banner season deserves another

HONG KONG – One banner season deserves another.
                The considerable gains attained by the Philippine
Basketball Association (PBA) last year has made new chairman Mamerto
Mondragon of Rain or Shine optimistic about the new playing calendar
of the league set to kick off on Oct. 2 at the Araneta Coliseum.
                Part of that optimism is matching, or even surpassing
the P90 million gross receipt posted by the league under Mondragon’s
predecessor, Rene Pardo of B-Meg.
                “It’s attainable,” said Mondragon, who has been
associated with the Rain or Shine franchise for a long time now.
                The soft-spoken league official said the backing of
the rest of the Board and commissioner Chito Salud makes the objective
realistic enough.
                “I’m still feeling my way around,”Mondragon said.
“Medyo nangangapa pa. Anyway, andiyan pa rin yung mga Governors, so
they are there to assist me”
                Pardo assured his successor of the Board’s all-out
support to the chairmanship of Mondragon, the way he was backed during
this term.
“I’m sure Atty. Mondragon is very able. And he will have the 100
percent support of everybody,” said the former PBA chairman.

The entry of a new  coveror in TV5, the retention of the three
conference format, and the significant increase in attendance are some
of the factors Mondragon cited that could help the league sustain the
success achieved last year.

                The entry of rookie players, especially those coming
from the Smart Gilas-Pilipinas team, is expected to give a breath of
fresh air to the league, according to the chairman, whose team
acquired streak-shooting guard Paul Lee of University of the East with
the no. 2 overall pick in the recent Rookie Draft.
                The unlimited height ceiling for imports in the second
conference as approved by the Board during its annual planning session
here, could also add new spice to the season, Mondragon added.
                “With some improvements, we strongly believe we have
another winner this coming season,” said the chairman.
                And then there’s TV5, which sealed a deal to be the
official coveror of the PBA for the next five years.
                “We (TV5) trust them, and nangako naman sila that they
will definitely try to make a difference,” the chairman pointed
out.(pr)

Player of the Week: Ronjay Buenafe

RONJAY Buenafe keeps validating his coach’s trust in him.
Buenafe proved this by coming up with a couple of
scintillating performances in the week that was, helping Rain or Shine fan its
Governors Cup quest and earning the Accel-PBA Press Corps’ Player of the Week
for the period July 25 to 31.
The former second round pick has cranked up his game a notch
in the semifinal round and proved that by playing a key role in the Elasto
Painters’ back-to-back wins that fueled their drive to at least a playoff berth
for a finals slot.
“Ronjay’s game has matured. He has more confidence in his
game. He has improved his shot selection and his defense,” said Rain or Shine
coach Yeng Guiao, instrumental in acquiring the 6-foot-2 shooting guard from
Air21 before the season.
“I have no regrets taking him in a trade that was the
subject of criticism and doubts. He works hard and can only get better,” added
Guiao.
The former Emilio Aguinaldo College standout, tabbed at No.
11 by Coca-Cola in the 2007 Rookie Draft, upheld Guiao’s belief by notching a
career-best-tying 30 points (anchored on 6-for-9 three-point shooting and a
perfect 4-for-4 from inside the arc) in a 102-86 repeat win over Petron Blaze
in Digos City last Saturday.
With that output and in the absence of available data, Buenafe
is perhaps the only player to score 30 points for all three teams he has so far
played with. He set his personal scoring standard first with the Tigers in 2008-09
and again with Burger King/Air21 the following season.
Buenafe did not show any inkling of what he was set for by
putting up 10 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals, helping the
Painters beat league-leader Talk N Text, 96-81, last Wednesday.
Those numbers helped improve Buenafe’s averages in the semis
to 17.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists, up from his 11.5, 2.0 and 0.25
norms in the eight-game eliminations.
Also, those victories against its more highly-touted rivals jacked
Rain or Shine’s win-loss record to 6-5 and gave it two routes to realize a first-ever
championship stint.
If they win their last two assignments the Painters could play
off for the second finals slot by virtue of the four-of-five incentive. Or they
could make it outright against early finalist Talk N Text if no other team
notches eight wins.
For sure, Buenafe and his teammates are not giving up on
that hope.(pr)

Derby Ace vs Rain or Shine Photos (Quarterfinals Game 2, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters win, 79-69)

 Rico Maeirhofer tries to steal the ball to Sol Mercado but he got a bad timing and caught for a foul.

Sol Mercado driving to the lane against the slapping James Yap and Roger Yap.

Gabe Norwood throws down a Alley-op from Sol Mercado.

import Rod Nealy driving to towards the hoop against James Yap and Don Allado.

Kerby Raymundo got the advantage of picking up the lose ball against Ryan Arana.

Rain or Shine vs BMEG Photos (Quartefinals Game1, BMEG triumphs, 108-102)

PBA IMAGE1 - James Yap protecting the ball gainst Gabe Norwood and Sol Mercado
PBA IMAGE2 - James Yap shooting over Gabe Norwood and Ryan Arana
PBA IMAGE3 - Cliff Brown reverse falling down shot against Rod Nealy
PBA IMAGE4 - Gabe Norwood ready to take off against Rafi Reavis and Cliff Robinson
PBA IMAGE5 - Paul Artadi tries to make his shot over Rod Neally

SMB vs RAIN or SHINE IMAGES

PBA IMAGE1 - Gabe Freeman vs Jai Lewis
PBA IMAGE2 - Sol Mercado against Jonas Villanueva
PBA IMAGE3 - jai Lewis vs SMB's Mick Pennisi and Alex Cabagnot
PBA IMAGE4 - Alex Cabagnot driving against Sol Mercado

TNT vs Rain or Shine Images

PBA IMAGE 1 - Harvey Carey and Jai Lewis chase the lose ball.
PBA IMAGE 2 - Jai Lewis gets triple teamed by TNT's Shawn Daniels, Mark Yee and Jimmy Alapag who strips him the ball.
PBA IMAGE 3 - Gabe Norwood tries to snatch the ball from harvey Carey.
PBA IMAGE 4 - Jai Lewis gets triple teamed again inside the shaded area by TNT's Shawn Daniels, Mark Yee and Mark Cardona who blocks his shot from behind.
PBA IMAGE 5 - Jay-r Reyes lands his body on Jared Dillinger after he got a good timing rebounding the ball.

RAIN or SHINE vs PUREFOODS Images

PBA IMAGE 1 - Sol Mercado driving past James Yap
PBA IMAGE 2 - Sol Mercado goes hard to the hoop and loses control of the ball over the defense of Rafi Reavis.
PBA IMAGE 3 - Gabe Norwood was fouled from behind by Nino Canaleta on his way up to the basket.
PBA IMAGE 4 - Gabe Norwood slams coming from the baseline over Kerby Raymundo and James Yap.
PBA IMAGE 5 - Mark Pingris prepares to block the shot of Sol Mercado.
PBA IMAGE 6 - Gabe Norwood tries to steal the pass ball on Mark Pingris.

Coca-Cola, Rain or Shine slug it out on Wednesday

Game on Wednesday
(Ynares Center-Antipolo)
7 p.m. – Coca-Cola vs Rain or Shine

Coca-Cola, powered by a solid frontline led by Asi Taulava and Dennis Espino, and Rain or Shine, boasting of a talented backcourt tandem, slug it out on Wednesday's night in the final knockout stage of the KFC PBA Philippine Cup wildcard round at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.
The Tigers and the Elasto Painters clash in a lone game at 7 p.m. with the winner advancing to the quarterfinals against the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants.
Meanwhile, the PBA will be giving free tickets for tonight’s match through its “Barkada Mo Sagot Ko” special promo. The limited offer entitles a group of three for every purchase of one ticket at the gallery section and two seats for a purchase of one ticket at lower level.
Expect a down-to-the-wire battle between Coca Cola and Rain or Shine with both teams hoping to stay in contention in the all-Filipino tourney.
“We will definitely fight for the win. We’ve gone this far enough to deserve a quarterfinals seat. Rain or Shine is a tough opponent but we are prepared for them,” said Coca-Cola coach Bo Perasol.
“This is our only chance to make the quarters. We’ll give it our best shot,” said Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia.
While it will be a question of execution, the two coaches believe a key factor is which team gets to impose its game.
The Tigers thrive on a deliberate halfcourt game with their plays revolving around big men Taulava and Espino while the Elasto Painters draw much energy on the run-and-gun games of guards Sol Mercado and Gabe Norwood.
JayR Reyes and Mark Telan will have tough job cut out for them against Taulava and Espino.
Gary David and Chris Ross, meanwhile, are the two players likely to be paired with Mercado and Norwood.
“I’m excited to battle with Mercado and Norwood. It’s a tough assignment but I’ll be ready,” said David, after an explosive performance leading Coke past his former team Burger King Wednesday.
Coca-Cola is the slight pick, having a better showing in the elimination round capped by a three-game romp on the return of Taulava from a foot injury.
The two teams split their elims games with Rain or Shine winning their first encounter, 92-84, while Taulava was out in sickbay.