PBA: 'We tried our best but the referees ruined our chances' - Guiao

Before the Philippine Cup Finals began, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters head coach Yeng Guiao was already saying that all they want to do was hang around with this powerful Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters team to have a shot at winning in the end game. Three games in, and they've successfully accomplished part one of their plan.

Part two has been much more difficult.

For Guiao, the poise of the Tropang Texters was the difference in the first two games of the series. But in game three, it was a combination of Talk 'N Text poise and bad calls down the stretch from the referees.

"We tried our best but the referees ruined our chances," said the fiery head coach, who is not afraid to speak what's on his mind.

[Related: Talk 'N Text rain triples, go up 3-0 over Rain or Shine in Finals]

Guiao enumerated three of the referees' decisions that went Talk 'N Text's way during the most crucial stage of the game, Sunday. "The first was the no-call on Ranidel de Ocampo. He hit JR Quinahan that's why he got the offensive rebound. The second was the strip on Chris Tiu by Jayson Castro. There should have been a foul but they didn't call it, which led to two points for them. Then there was the foul called on Paul Lee. Paul was standing straight, Ryan Reyes jumped into him but they called the foul on Paul. Tatlong tawag na yun. Malalaking tawag yun para sa amin.

"I hope the league takes a look at those instances," Guiao added.

[Related: Tiu gives Rain or Shine a lift, but team still falls short]

Guiao lauded the referees for their work in their first two games, saying, "Sa unang dalawang laro, wala akong masabi." However, he stressed that he felt the referees cost his team the chance to finally win a game against the Tropang Texters.

"This is the Finals. The difference will be one or two possessions so three bad calls can really turn the tide," Guiao pointed out.

Down 0-3 in the series, Guiao still think there are no adjustments to be made from their part. "I don't think we'll change many things," he said. "We're getting our good looks but we can't make them. But despite that we had the chance to win this game."

When asked if he felt that his team could make history and become the first to rally after being down 0-3 in a best-of-seven series, Guiao said candidly, "Isang game nga di kami makapanalo. [But] we'll do our best to delay their celebration." - AMD, GMA News