PBA: Rain or Shine on finals against Talk 'N Text: 'Sawa na kami sa runner-up'

Every PBA franchise wants badly to win a title - whether to climb at the peak of elite, to add a trophy to their collection, or to redeem themselves after a slump.

No other team, however, carries the same angst and hunger for a championship as Rain or Shine.

Due to their consistent semifinals appearance every conference, the Elasto Painters are considered as one of the powerhouses in the league. The team has reached the finals in four of their last eight conferences, but they returned with a championship trophy only once so far when they won the 2012 Governors' Cup.

Now on their fifth trip to the championship round, Rain or Shine is hoping to win it all this time around despite being underdogs against six-time champion Talk 'N Text.

"Nagsasawa na rin kami na runner-up lagi," Beau Belga told reporters in the PBA finals press conference on Monday at Sambokojin, Eastwood. "Baka sakali makasundot."

The veteran big man, however, admitted that he would have preferred to face Grand Slam champions Purefoods instead of the Tropang Texters, who beat them 4-0 in the finals series of the 2013 Philippine Cup.

"Nakakadala kalaban 'yung Talk 'N Text," he said. "Natapat Talk 'N Text e, wala naman kaming magagawa. Bahala na."

His teammate Paul Lee, meanwhile, believes that this conference is the best opportunity they have to win their first championship in three years. Even coach Yeng Guiao likes their chances despite embracing their underdog role.

"This is the most healthy we are in all the five finals we made. That in itself is a good indication," he said. "We've made the finals a couple of times before, but we're not this healthy when we got there."

With injured players Jericho Cruz, Chris Tiu, and Jeric Teng already healed and combat-ready, Rain or Shine is in tiptop shape for the finals hostilities which will begin on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena. -- JST, GMA News