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The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. Paige Javier, ABS-CBN News
MANILA – Rain or Shine Elasto Painters head coach Yeng Guiao is bracing for tougher opponents in PBA Season 50, following the revamp of several teams.
After making it to the semifinals in the last three conferences, Guiao and the team hope this season will be the one they get past this stage.
The champion mentor also believes they will not only be facing the usual "strong teams" but also improved ones from the middle of the pack.
"Alam natin 'yung mga malakas na team, ay malakas na. Eh 'yung mga nasa middle tier na teams, lalong lumakas," Guiao said.
"Kasi 'yung mga iba, talagang game-changers 'yung mga ano nila eh, 'yung mga dinagdag nila sa team. Masasabi natin high impact na players. So we have to step up to the challenge," he added.
READ: PBA: Stanley Pringle aims to help Rain or Shine get past hump and win title
Guiao identified the Converge FiberXers, the Blackwater Bossing, the Phoenix Fuel Masters, the NorthPort Batang Pier and the Meralco Bolts, as teams with key additions.
Converge picked up Juan Gomez de Liaño, while Blackwater signed a deal with former Gilas Pilipinas youth mainstay Dalph Panopio.
"So mas mahirap talaga, mas mahirap talaga na makabalik ka ng kahit semifinals and we recognize that. But that's really part of the journey and the challenge," he said.
"Hindi naman pwede na you get to that level dahil humina 'yung ibang teams. So kung lumalakas ibang teams, kailangan ka rin maghanap ng paraan para ikaw din mag-improve," Guiao explained.
The fiery coach highlighted their biggest pickup, veteran guard Stanley Pringle.
Guiao believes Pringle will help guide the young core of Rain or Shine composed of newly-installed captain Gian Mamuyac, Adrian Nocum, Andrei Caracut, Santi Santillan and Jhonard Clarito.
HEALTH A PRIORITY FOR ELASTO PAINTERS
With a challenging season ahead, Guiao said the main concern is the players' health.
"Ang biggest concern ko kasi is to be able to start the conference with at least most of our players at 100% healthy," he said.
"Si Beau Belga, babalik na. Alam natin nagkaproblema siya last conference with his health. But I think it's close to 100% this conference. Lahat ng clearances from the doctors na kuhanan niya. So wala ng pangamba na may mga concerns pa tayo dun sa health situation niya," Guiao added.
READ: PBA: New hair, but same goal for CJ Perez in Season 50
The Rain or Shine mentor gave an update on big man Luis Villegas. The PBA Season 48 Draft first round pick has been nursing an ACL injury which sidelined him in his rookie year.
"Si Luis Villegas also improving really well. Although ang tingin ko, 'di siya makakaabot sa opening day. Pero by the middle of the elimination round, I think he can be 100%," Guiao said.
Despite the long wait for Villegas, Guiao is looking forward to him being able to play at full fitness when the time comes.
Rain or Shine hopes to steer clear of the injury bug that hit them last season.
"I feel we have a good team already as we have it right now. And we can compete with the best teams in the PBA," Guiao said.