Guiao bullish after big win, blasts officiating

MANILA, Philippines -- Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao is bullish after his team managed to win without him and star playmaker Paul Lee to come within one away from reaching the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.

Guiao was reduced to a spectator in the second half for the second straight game in the series but was happy this time that his ejection led to a morale-boosting 88-83 victory over embattled Petron Blaze for a 3-1 series lead.

Guiao lauded the steely resolve of his team during his post-game talk in the locker room.

"I had nothing to do with this win guys. You lost Paul, you lost me, the refs are calling it poorly but you still won. My hat off to you guys and the coaching staff did great," Guiao told his players.

Then the mercurial coach, who has received four technical fouls in the last two games, dropped the bomb.

"We did not beat Petron tonight. We beat the referees," said Guiao psyching up his players to do the same in Game Five.

The outspoken coach cited examples of how he felt the referees poorly officiated the game.

"Nakasakay si Junemar (Fajardo) kay Beau (Belga) sa likod, si Beau pa ang tinawagan ng foul. When I was watching on TV in the second half, Jeff Chan drove to the basket and I thought he was fouled, (Alex) Nuyles also attacked the basket and I also felt there should have been a foul. Good thing they made the baskets. Crucial 'yung mga yun during that stretch," Guiao told reporters after emerging from the locker room.

But what ticked Guiao the most was when he felt Alex Cabagnot threw a fist on Jervy Cruz's face but got away with an ordinary foul.

"I think he (Cabagnot) broke the nose of Jervy and he is in the hospital right now (last night)," Guiao said.

“I don’t know why they can get away with those and we cannot get away with the touch fouls,” Guiao added.

Asked if they will wrap the series up in Game Five, Guiao answered in jest, “Tatapusin ko muna yung laro na hindi na-eeject."

Guaio's sharp comments on the officiating might not sit well with the league but the temperamental coach is unfazed.

“Kung imbitahan nila ako sa Commissioner’s office, okay lang. Hindi naman ako takot sa kanila,” Guiao said.

Rain or Shine, which has thrived on physical, rugged play, has pushed Petron Blaze on the ropes. Now, the Painters are going for the knockout blow on Friday. They have now won 11 of their last 12 games and another win will earn them another chance to win their first ever Philippine Cup title.

Guiao paid tribute to his team's heart saying they are not a team of superstars, not even a conglomerate but just a small market team with hardworking players.

"Swerte lang talaga kami. If that happened to another team made with softer materials, they would have folded up. Pero sila yung swerte nilaban nila and they got the win," Guiao said.

But he warned his players not to be complacent.

"If this game was hard, the next game will be a lot harder," Guiao told his boys before his parting shot.

"You made me respect you more guys with this win."