Following their victory in Game 3 of the PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup semifinals last Sunday, Rain or Shine is looking to reverse a trend.

After winning Game 3 of both of their previous semifinal matches against TNT, the Elasto Painters have never triumphed again. The SM Mall of Asia Arena will host Game 4 on Wednesday.

In order to survive in the semifinal series, they are trying to shatter that historical record, which head coach Yeng Guiao is well aware of.

The Elasto Painters would tie TNT in a semifinal series for the first time this season if Rain or Shine wins Game 4, which is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.

“We feel that if we can break through. Kasi kapag series namin, 4-1 kami ng 4-1. so at least, napantay na namin ‘yung level noong dalawang playoffs namin sa kanila. Kapag nanalo kami sa Wednesday, ibig sabihin, nag-improve na kami. So tignan natin kung makakarating sa Wednesday.”

Rain or Shine might have easily led the semifinal series 2-1 going into Game 4, but the Elasto Painters blew an 18-point lead in Game 2 to fall to the Tropang 5G 113-105 in overtime.

Last Sunday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, ROS easily trounced TNT, 107-86, to secure the victory in Game 3.

Speaking of his faith in his teammates, Guiao stated. “From the beginning naman, these guys, they know what they can do,”

“They know they deserve to be here. They know after four times playing in the semifinals, they know what it takes. Naiintindihan nila ‘yun. After playing TNT three times in the semis, we know what it takes.”

Despite playing TNT numerous times in the semifinals, Guiao stated that the Tropang 5G are still a strong opponent despite the absence of several important players who are sidelined, most recently RR Pogoy, who is recovering from a hamstring injury.

The Coach also said, “Iba pa rin. They are very competitive. They are very disciplined. Double barrel shot gun of Pogoy and Oftana. That’s their sheer talent. They can take over a game so mabigat pa rin,” 

Rain or Shine has regularly gatecrashed the semifinals by finding assets through the draft, nurturing them, and then using them as weapons, despite the fact that independent teams are unable to match the financial might of wealthy teams owned by conglomerates.

And at the heart of the Elasto Painters’ ongoing transition from pretenders to contenders is Guiao, the creator of winning cultures and the architect of seven PBA titles.