PBA: Yeng Guiao, Rain or Shine upbeat ahead of Game 6 vs Ginebra

Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao during a PBA semifinals game against Ginebra.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Coach Yeng Guiao remains optimistic that Rain or Shine can turn things around and force Barangay Ginebra to a deciding Game 7 in their highly emotional PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinal series.

The Elasto Painters are now on the brink of elimination with a 3-2 deficit after Friday’s 111-104 loss at Smart Araneta Coliseum, but Guiao believes the result has not affected the team’s mood.

“I feel they’re very positive about Sunday’s game,” Guiao said. “You can feel that they’re still confident that they can come back. And for me, that’s a good sign.

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“Of course, we still need to solve our problems with defensive adjustments, but all in all, we were hoping for a long series. Now it’s a six-game series. We might turn it into a seven-game series, which is our objective from the beginning.”

Rain or Shine was forced to play catch-up when Ginebra pulled away behind its stellar outside shooting. It did try to rally from a double-digit deficit behind Adrian Nocum, only for the Elasto Painters to lose steam.

Game 6 is on Sunday at Ynares Center in Antipolo, with Rain or Shine hoping to force a decider on Wednesday back at the Big Dome.

And Guiao feels that the Elasto Painters may put themselves at an advantage should they push the series filled with heated exchanges to the limit.

“If it goes to Game 7, last man standing, we think we can be fresher,” said Guiao. “Our rotation is longer, so Game 7 would be really advantageous. But first we have to win o Sunday.

“The vibe of the team is good. Usually, when you lose a game like this, they’re already feeling down. But I did not feel that in this game today.”