‘Just minimize turnovers’: Guiao upbeat despite Rain or Shine’s Game 1 loss vs TNT

MANILA, Philippines – Despite a tough opening game loss, Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao is optimistic of the Elasto Painters’ chances in the PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals against the TNT Tropang Giga. 

Rain or Shine absorbed a 90-81 loss defeat at the hands of the defending champions on Wednesday in a low-scoring affair to go down 0-1 in their best-of-seven series.

After the game, Guiao said that their defense was top-notch in Game 1, but they have to cut back on turnovers moving forward. 

“I still feel good about the series. Actually, maganda iyong depensa namin e. Low percentage sila, low efficiency, I think they shot just 34% for their field goal percentage. That’s really good defense, the problem was we were turning the ball so many times,” Guiao told reporters. 

“So, iyong na-gain namin sa depensa, nababawi nila sa mga turnovers namin. Pero maganda pa rin pakiramdam ko,” he added. 

He underscored that a longer series would be “more advantageous” to the squad. 

“We’ll try to keep winning because every win extends the series to another game. So, nauna sila, pero bukas makikita namin sa film viewing namin iyong mga mali namin. May isang araw kami to correct,” he stressed. 

“Tingin ko naman hindi naman marami iyong corrections, just minimizing turnovers in general.” 

TNT shot 34% from the field on a 33-of-97 clip, compared to the Elasto Painters’ 30-of-81 shooting, which was good for 37%. 

Rain or Shine had 22 turnovers in the game, while dishing out 22 assists. 

In comparison, TNT only had nine turnovers but had 10 steals. 

“We are a little frustrated. We couldn’t get calls going our way but I think the biggest factor is iyong masyado kaming maraming turnovers. We had 22 turnovers and 22 assists, so 1 is to 1 iyong ratio namin sa assists to turnovers. This is too big to give up to a team like TNT,” Guiao emphasized. 

“If you’re turning the ball that many times that means you’re giving up too many easy points, iyong mga cheap baskets,” he added.

Rain or Shine was well within striking distance with the time winding down, being down by just seven, 79-86, with 3:42 left. 

However, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson sank a huge 4-pointer to push TNT’s lead to 11, 90-79, with 1:53 to go. 

“Tingin ko we were still in the game in the end game except nung biglang pumasok iyong 4-point shot ni RHJ. That kind of broke our back but panglaban pa rin kung hindi sana pumasok,” he said. 

Guiao, meanwhile, underscored that while they were unable to go to their usual fast pace in Game 1, the important thing is they have to give themselves a chance to win. 

“Siguro for this game [they played in the pace they wanted.] But kasi, we have to find ways, we have to learn to beat the other team in different ways. Hindi naman pwede na masusunod parati iyong pace mo. Actually, we had that chance kanina na sabi ko kahit hindi ito high scoring, kahit hindi ganun kabilis ang pace, as long as we’re in striking distance, okay ka pa,” the mentor said.

“So maybe they can slow us down, maybe we can play at their pace, but the important thing is you give yourself a chance to win at whatever pace you’re playing. Iyon lang. Sabi ko nga kanina, nagpabagsak nung chances namin was the 4-point shot at the right time for them. Kasi naging 10 iyong lamang, six na lang, two possession game na lang yun e,” he added. 

“Yes, they may have been able to control the pace better than we did but we accept that we will not always control the pace. But you always have to give yourself a chance to win the game. Whether the pace is going your way or not.”

Rain or Shine will try to tie it up at one apiece in Game 2 set on Friday, 5 p.m., at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.