RAIN or Shine tries to sustain the momentum gained from a recent emphatic win when it tangles with a TNT crew equally bent on getting the job done Sunday in Game 6 of their PBA Philippine Cup semifinals duel at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Elasto Painters managed to at least stay alive in the best-of-seven series by notching a 113-97 victory Friday, cutting their deficit in the matchup to 2-3 and fanning coach Yeng Guiao's hopes of at least prolonging the duel.
Despite the loss, the Tropang 5G still have two chances to advance to a third straight finals for the season and from there continue their quest for a rare Grand Slam.
That doesn't diminish Guiao's optimism founded on his rotation which he deems is definitely deeper compared to that of TNT.
"The longer the series, the better our chances," reiterated Guiao. "So du'n kami umaasa, na manalo pa kami ng minsan mag-ge-Game 7. At least ngayon, may Game 6.
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"Sabi ko nga, we've never been this close (to the finals) so... siyempre ayaw naming sayangin 'yung opportunity na ito. May chance pa naman-mahirap nga lang-pero habang may chance we'll take what we have."
The loss by TNT came when head coach Chot Reyes served out a league-imposed one-game suspension for the total five technical fouls he has accumulated. Also sitting out that game was big man Kelly Williams (sprain) and Roger Pogoy (hamstring).
But while Williams remains a big question mark and Pogoy still listed as day-to-day, Reyes is set to return and restore his hands-on brand of order to his side.
For sure, among the TNT players to watch out for is Calvin Oftana, who scored a team-high 23 points, but only three in as many attempts in the second half of Game 5.
Jordan Heading, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and Poy Erram are also sure to be out for redemption after combining for only nine points last Friday, just two days after hooking up for 53 in a 108-92 victory that gave the Tropa three chances to close out the series.
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Guiao is more concerned with his team's game. "Every time we play, we just compete, run what we do in practice and if our game holds up we win. 'Pag di naman we're happy to accept the result as long as we give it our best," he said.
"A win is a win, a chance to get to the finals is a chance to get to the finals," Guiao also stressed.
"I think we're hungrier than they are. Alam natin naghahabol sila ng Grand Slam," added Guiao, before half-joking: "Pero nakaka-dalawang championships na sila, baka pagod na rin sila, baka nagsawa na din sila, di ba? Kami naman. So tingnan natin." (NC)
