MANILA, Philippines - With an almost intact line-up – one that has quickness, height and experience – Rain or Shine hopes to finally advance to the finals of the PBA Governors’ Cup as it bids to underscore its market dominance in the elastomeric paint with its new products.
Coach Yeng Guiao knows the enviable task ahead but he believes his players can measure up to the challenge, given the system he’s trying to instill in the team.
“With the kind of teams we’re going to face, it’s going to be a Herculean task, but I believe we can do it since my players have what it takes to rise to the challenge,” said Guiao. “We have prepared long and hard for the coming tournament.
Edison Oribiana, business development head of Asian Coatings Phil. Inc., said team owners Raymund Yu and Terry Que are equally upbeat since their bid for greatness coincides with the thrust of the company to further enhance its status with the introduction of Rain or Shine Elasto-Proofer and Rain or Shine Elasto-Tex in the market.
According to Yu and Que, their opening victory over B-Meg Derby Ace, 95-82, augured well to their campaign.
Rain or Shine Elasto-Proofer is an elastomeric waterproofer that is specifically formulated to protect concrete vertical walls against water penetration while the Rain or Shine Elasto-Tex is a water-based high film build coating designed to produce a textured finish to hide wall imperfections and cover hairline cracks.
Yu and Que, however, stressed that their players need to play smartly on both ends and have to dominate the “paint” if they want to advance to the finals for the first time since joining the league in 2006.
“That’s the only way we can win more games,” said Que. “We really have to play with lots of passion this time, especially in paint.”
Yu, on the other hand, said their import – Arizona Reid – must complement well with the locals, led by Gabe Norwood, Larry Rodriguez, Ryan Arana, Doug Kramer, Ronjay Buenafe, RJ Jazul, TY Tang, Jeff Chan and Jervy Cruz, to help achieve the kind of rhythm they want for the team.
A product of High Point University in South Carolina, Reid is expected to provide more firepower and stability to the team. And with his high-level energy and fancy moves, Reid could be the missing link in ROS’s drive for a first-ever title.
The Elasto Painters had a great run last conference when they almost got into the semis only to be frustrated by crowd favorite Ginebra in the last five minutes of their all-important game.
Despite the team’s heartbreaks and near misses, it’s not the nature of Yu and Que to dwell with the past, believing there’s always a next time.
Hopefully, the Governors’ Cup is the right time for them to reign or shine.