Rain or Shine Elasto Painters coach Yeng Guiao during the PBA Philippine CUp semifinals Game 5 against TNT Tropang 5G. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao couldn’t help but joke about Chot Reyes’ absence in Game 5 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals.
On Saturday at Araneta Coliseum, the Elasto Painters took advantage of a depleted TNT side, cruising to a 113-97 win to stay alive in the series.
READ: PBA: Rain or Shine makes it past Game 5 of semis for first time
Reyes was serving a one-game suspension after picking up his fifth technical foul of the conference in Game 4.
Guiao, no stranger to whistles himself, quipped that the TNT coach beat him to it.
“Inunahan pa ‘ko ni coach Chot… Pero malapit-lapit na rin ako eh (Coach Chot got suspended before me… but I’m getting there as well),” said Guiao in jest.
“I’m avoiding it now. We’ll see, I hope I avoid it more.”
READ: PBA: Gian Mamuyac credits big Game 5 showing to Yeng Guiao’s system
TNT Tropang 5G coach Josh Reyes. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
In Chot’s absence, his son Josh took the post and played head coach for the Tropang 5G, who were also missing key cogs Kelly Williams and Roger due to injuries.
But with the series reaching a crescendo, Guiao expects those players to come back in Game 6 as TNT takes a second shot at closing out Rain or Shine.
“Maybe they’re just buying time and we expect them to play in the next game,” said the veteran mentor.
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Guiao and the Elasto Painters look to force a Game 7 vs. TNT on Sunday for Game 6 at the same venue.
