SMILES are all around at the Rain or Shine camp these days as it is currently on a five-game winning streak in the PBA Philippine Cup.

But even through the joys, there have also been moments of frustration, particularly for head coach Yeng Guiao, during Saturday’s win over Terrafirma.

Caracut gets an earful from Guiao

With the win already in the bag, Guiao was seen giving Andrei Caracut an earful near the end of Rain or Shine’s 116-104 win over Terrafirma in Caloocan City. The final moments of the game saw Rain or Shine give up four easy points and its lead against Terrafirma trimmed from 16 to 12.

Guiao was heard screaming after Rain or Shine failed to execute and Caracut attempted a long three-point shot with time still left on the clock.

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Asked about the incident on Wednesday, Guiao admitted he was disappointed about the end of the game where Rain or Shine gave up easy points.

Guiao cites importance of winning margins

Guiao said the team had already emphasized protecting leads since the battle for positioning has been tight this conference and that seedings for the quarterfinals could be decided by the quotient system where winning margins will come into play.

That reminder was left unheeded in the final moments of the game against Terrafirma, Guiao said.

“Matagal na naming pinag-uusapan na before that game, every point will count especially if you are playing Terrafirma, NorthPort, Blackwater. Every possession and every point will count. Even on defense, every stop will count because you don’t know how it will look like sa quotient. And ang tantsa namin, the placings will be decided by quotient. Napag-usapan namin ‘yun,” said Guiao.

Ultimately, the responsibility fell in the hands of Caracut, the team’s top point guard who was on the floor at that point of the contest. Caracut played well in that game against Terrafirma where he had 17 points and 10 assists.

“’Yung last few possessions nung game namin, we had an opportunity to preserve our lead, 16 points, or even add to it. Nangyari, we gave away two lay-ups, naging 12. And then ‘yung opensa namin, parang binalewala nila. To me, that’s a mortal sin. Parang ang tagal nating dini-discuss ‘yan, hindi ba natin nakuha ‘yung importance?” asked Guiao.

“Inexplain ko rin sa kanila, it’s not a disrespect to the other team. They understand that. Kasi ‘yung iba, iniisip nila na okay naman, panalo na, we just use up the time and not try to score. I also told them that. At lahat naman kaming coaches, naiintindihan namin na hindi ‘yun sign of disrespect.”

Photo by: Jerome Ascano

“Hindi ko maintindihan nung huli kung bakit ginawa ‘yun, after the constant reminders and discussions that we have. Parang nawala sa isip niya,” added Guiao.

Even with the tongue-lashing, Guiao said it doesn’t change the fact that Caracut remains one of the top players on the young Rain or Shine and has the potential to improve even more through time and experience.

Following Rain or Shine’s win over NorthPort on Wednesday, Caracut is averaging 11.8 points and along with Beau Belga is in first place in assists with 5.4 a game.

“Pinapahinog lang natin si Andrei,” said Guiao of the ‘tough love’ moment. “Siya pa rin naman ang primary point guard natin. Malaki ang responsibilidad niya. Siguro dapat din na maintindihan niya na ‘yung responsibility niya sa team at mas ma-appreciate niya.”

“Sometimes, parang naglalaro lang siya. Pero dapat siguro, pakita niya na sa galing niya, there is more to be expected of him primarily from the point of leadership,” said Guiao.