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Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao. PBA Images
MANILA — As Rain or Shine remains undefeated in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup, head coach Yeng Guiao lauded the team for its gains in the mid-season conference.
The Elasto Painters kept their record perfect after holding off the San Miguel Beermen, 116-112, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Wednesday.
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Despite blowing a 25-point lead, Guiao praised his team for battling through adversity and earning its best start at 5-0 in franchise history.
"Ito 'yung progress na sinasabi ko. You progress in your maturity, you progress in your character, how to fight against adversity. Lahat ng hirap dinaanan na namin eh," he said at the post-game press conference.
Rain or Shine remains the only undefeated team in the PBA 50 Commissioner's Cup with victories against the Macau Black Knights, defending champions TNT Tropang 5G, Meralco Bolts, Blackwater Bossing and San Miguel.
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But each win came with its own challenges, including going all-Filipino against the Meralco Bolts, after import Jaylen Johnson served a one-game suspension for a scuffle with Glenn Khobuntin.
"Lumaban kami nang walang import na kalaban si Bolbol, lumaban kami ng walang import for the whole game kalaban si Meralco. Nag-lead kami ng 25 points tapos naubos pero naipanalo pa rin," the champion mentor shared.
"Mabuti ang team nagdadaan sa ganoon kasi it really strengthens you and tests your character. So good sign pa rin para sa amin," he added.
Guiao said the Elasto Painters are not focusing on their unbeaten record nor being at the top of the standings.
Rain or Shine is working on getting into the quarterfinals of the mid-season conference and hopefully get past the semifinals hump in the past season.
"So, 5 wins kami baka isang panalo na lang nasa quarters na kami. Pero para makasigurado siguro kailangan pitong panalo para makasigurado. 'Yan lang objective namin. We don't even mind number one ka, number two ka sa standings. Importante lang makarating ka sa next round," he said.
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