Rain or Shine, San Mig dispute lead

By: 11 years ago

THE RAIN OR SHINE Elasto Painters and San Mig Coffee Mixers break their standoff when they clash for Game 3 of the 39th PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven finals on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.
Rain or Shine took Game 1 with a tight 83-80 win before San Mig pulled off a more convincing 80-70 triumph in Game 2.
Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao said his wards couldn’t afford to drop a second straight game.
“San Mig Coffee is too experienced a team. We can’t afford to let them seize the initiative,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
San Mig was hardly challenged in Game 2, jumping to an early double digit lead which they did not relinquish till the final buzzer.
“We struggled all-game long with our offense,” said Guiao, whose squad shot 37 percent from the field and 50 percent from the free throw line.
“We need to find the proper adjustments and execute better in Game Three,” added Guiao.
Though they lost Game 2, the fiery mentor said things still look bright for the Elasto Painters.
“I’m not worried. It’s a seven-game series and like I’ve said, the longer this series takes, the better for us,” said Guiao. “Winning Game One gives us that advantage, the adjustment advantage. Now, we can go make the adjustments and the series is still even.”
San Mig came from a bruising semifinal series against the Barangay Ginebra Kings and the two-day break bodes well for the team.
“That’s why we have to be on our toes in Game Three,” Guiao said.
Rain or Shine could miss a key player tonight as Ryan Araña was listed day-to-day after sustaining a collarbone injury in Game 2. /EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA