MANILA, Philippines — Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao believes physicality is just part of the game as long as the intention of the players is not to harm someone.
Guiao made his remarks moments after his Elasto Painters bounced back with a vengeful 107-86 triumph to register a breakthrough win in their PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series against the TNT Tropang 5G.
“Accidents happen. We can accept that. We play physical, and we play like that also, but without any malice,” said Guiao, who was slapped with a technical foul in Game 3 after confronting TNT wingman Glenn Khobuntin who made a hard foul on ROS giard Gian Mamuyac.
“I felt there’s room for physical and rugged play, but it’s really not one that could injure or damage a career of a player,” he added. The fiery ROS mentor said hard fouls that are meant to hurt could lead to serious injuries, which could practically affect the team’s chances to win the series.
Sunday’s Game 3 saw an unusually high number of technical fouls assessed on TNT, which played without injured gunner Roger Pogoy as he joined Rey Nambatac, Brian Heruela and star guard Jayson Castro in the injured bay.
Technical fouls were assessed on TNT coach Chot Reyes, Mike Nieto, Khobuntin and Filipino-American big man Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, whose mid-air collision and hard push led to an ugly landing by driving Rain or Shine guard Adrian Nocum.
Nocum landed hard with his back first as he was going full speed for the drive when the foul happened.
With Rain or Shine’s confidence-building 21-point triumph, Guiao and his charges will try to build on it and go for the series equalizer this Wednesday, July 1 when they clash with the Tropang 5G at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
