Yeng Guiao Stays Grounded as Rain or Shine Braces for Tougher Battles Ahead

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by Lou Reyes

Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao.
Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao. Photo: PBA Images.

Rain or Shine may be off to one of its best starts in recent memory, but head coach Yeng Guiao knows the real grind of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup is only beginning.

The Elasto Painters sit in elite company atop the standings at 4-1, tied with TNT, NLEX, and Magnolia. Yet, despite the strong opening stretch, Guiao isn’t ready to celebrate just yet, not with a grueling slate coming up against Phoenix, NLEX, TNT, and Converge, all of whom are also jockeying for early playoff position.

“We still have a lot to prove,” Guiao admitted. “The second half of our schedule is much heavier. These next few games will show if we really belong among the contenders.”

Health remains the biggest concern for Rain or Shine. Forward Caelan Tiongson has been sidelined for three games due to a hamstring injury, while new signee Stanley Pringle has yet to debut as he nurses knee soreness.

Rain or Shine forward Caelan Tiongson.
Rain or Shine forward Caelan Tiongson. Photo: PBA Images.

“Hopefully, we’ll have a complete lineup soon. We’re just waiting for Stanley and Caelan to return,” Guiao said. “It’s good that Santi Santillan is stepping up. He’s been filling that scoring gap left by Caelan.”

Santillan has indeed been a revelation, highlighted by his 26-point performance in their win over Terrafirma, a game that showcased Rain or Shine’s growing depth and chemistry.

Fortunately for Guiao, reinforcements could arrive soon. Pringle is expected to suit up against Phoenix next Wednesday, while Tiongson might return by Sunday versus NLEX, giving the Elasto Painters a timely boost before their crucial matchups.

Despite the challenges, Guiao remains pleased with how his team handled October, particularly meeting their “short-term goal” of finishing the month with a winning record despite missing key contributors.

Stanley Pringle (left) with coach Yeng Guiao.
Stanley Pringle (left) with coach Yeng Guiao. Photo: PBA Images.

“We looked at the schedule and said, if we could end October at 4-1 or even 3-2, that would be a strong result,” Guiao noted. “We got 4-1, and that’s something to be happy about, but we know we can still get better.”

As the Philippine Cup heats up, Rain or Shine’s mix of youthful energy, veteran poise, and Guiao’s trademark discipline could make them one of the most dangerous squads heading into the midseason stretch.

The next few games will tell if this early run is just momentum or the start of something special for the rejuvenated Elasto Painters.