Yeng Guiao hopes ROS' magical run carries over to playoff rounds

Rain or Shine is riding high ahead of the 2023 PBA Commissioner's Cup playoffs after winning six consecutive games to enter the quarterfinals as the seventh seed.

It wasn't an ideal start for the Elasto Painters, who lost their first five games to Meralco, NorthPort, Phoenix Super LPG, Ginebra, and San Miguel as doubts were raised for the wards of head coach Yeng Guiao.

But their winning streak has allowed them to salvage their campaign — and Guiao hopes the team can sustain the momentum into the next round, where they will take on a talent-laden opponent in second-seed SMB.

"Maganda naman ‘yung assessment namin ng chances namin. We're coming off a six-win streak," Guiao said following a 112-11 escape of Converge on Sunday.

[Our assessment of our chances is good. We're coming off a six-win streak.]

But Guiao and the Elasto Painters remain wary, stressing they still have a lot to improve on given the fact that they are facing a Beermen team that holds a twice-to-beat advantage.

"Pero siguro ang importante lang ay ‘yung ma-improve pa namin ‘yung mga execution ng offense at defense."

[But the important thing is we improve on our execution on offense and defense.]

Guiao underlined their decision to make an import change as the key reason for their resurgence as they replaced Dajuan Summers with Tree Treadwell, who has been a steady force in the inside and a threat outside as he averages 19.57 points, 18.14 rebounds, 5.86 assists, and 0.57 blocks.

Guiao also issued credits to the support from his locals led by Beau Belga, Keith Datu, Andrei Caracut, Rey Nambatac, and Santi Santillan.

"‘Yung combination, tamang import tapos ‘yung mga locals namin nagkaka-kumpiyansa dahil alam nila na hindi sila pwedeng umasa ng 40 or 50 puntos sa import," added the veteran tactician.

"Ang laking bagay na marunong silang humanap ng tira at marunong sila mag-desisyon."

[The combination is the right import and the locals gaining confidence because they know they can't rely on 40 or 50 points from the import. It's a big deal that they know how to find their shots and how to make decisions.]

—JMB, GMA Integrated News