FINALS: Powerade Tigers 1 - 3 Talk N Text Tropang Texters
 
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Published on November 12, 2011

Rain or Shine coach Joseller "Yeng" Guiao knows they have all the reasons to be happy as the Elasto Painters have bucked the odds and are on top of the PBA Philippine Cup standings right now. 

However, Guiao emphasized that everything, including their current pride and joy, is just temporary. "We're happy we're on top of the standings but we're aware we're in a fragile situation because once we relax and we lose one or two games, we'll crumble," said Guiao. 

"Our attitude is cautious optimism. "We have the confidence now but we can't be too complacent because the moment we do, there's a chance we might start relaxing and commit errors," he added.

Rain or Shine made it to No. 1 by turning back a Barako Bull team that saw its coach Junel Baculi ejected early in the fourth quarter in a 93-91 victory last Friday at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City. 

It was the Elasto Painters' fifth straight win and seventh overall against a lone loss that pushed them from a share of the lead with the idle Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters (6-1) to solo grip of it. 

On Sunday, Rain or Shine has the chance to stretch its amazing run even further while strengthening its stranglehold of the lead as it takes on an unpredictable Petron Blaze at 6:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

Everybody knows Guiao and his run-and-gun team is on a tear after routing their last five foes with an impressive average winning margin of 23.6 points and, at one point particularly in a three-game stretch, it won by huge margins of 36 points over Alaska, 44 against Meralco and then 21 versus Powerade. 

They'll have another chance to impress when they square off with the Boosters, the reigning Governor's Cup champions who are currently at joint third place with the Energy on 5-3 (win-loss) slates. 

"We know that Petron is one of the teams coming up in the standings, they just didn't start right but they're back in the thick of things," said Guiao, who is coming off a P34,600 fine for his latest flareup. 

Rain or Shine is expected to rely anew on a roster so deep Guiao has the luxury of not using his main cogs for more than 30 minutes. 

"I'm not overplaying anybody and if you'll notice, our players are averaging not more than 30 minutes per game and I think we can still get better," said Guiao. 

"It's really all about total team effort both on offense and defense. "We're not trying to burn everybody out, we're all healthy, knock on wood, so far I hope we could sustain our pace and momentum until the end," added the fiery Pampanga Vice Governor. (JV)

Source: http://www.pba.ph/news/entry/1240



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