RAIN OR SHINE vs. B-MEG: WHICH IS THE REAL UNDERDOG?

HAVING made it to the Finals for the very first time since joining the PBA in 2006, Rain or Shine
hopes to take its dream a step further and go all the way to clinch a championship as well.

B-Meg head coach Tim Cone, on the other hand, has his sights trained not only on leading the
Llamados to a second straight title but, on a personal note, he is bidding to tie a league record.

These are the scenarios present as Rain or Shine and B-Meg clash for the championship of the season
ending PBA Governors Cup. Game One is set Sunday night at 6 pm at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Elasto Painters enter the series opener a bit fresh after coach Joseller “Yeng” Guiao
decided to give his wards a two-day break. On the other hand, B-Meg had to go through the wringer
and beat Barangay Ginebra, 74-72 in a sudden-death playoff Friday night for the second finals berth.

“Alam kong magiging bugbugan itong Finals so I gave my boys the chance to rest,” said Guiao.
“Doon man lang ay magkaroon kami ng kaunting advantage.”

Rain or Shine made it to the Finals for the very first time since joining the PBA back in 2006 by
routing the Llamados, 92-82 last Wednesday. The Elasto Painters are hoping to go all the way to the
top and win a championship.

“We’re the underdogs kahit nauna kami sa Finals. Pero malay natin makatsamba kami,” added
Guiao.

But Cone thinks otherwise. After all, the Llamados have not beaten the Elasto Painters in two
meetings this conference. Prior to losing last Wednesday, the Llamados were also waylaid by the
Elasto Painters in overtime, 100-94 in the elimination round last May 27.

Cone is actually bidding to tie Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan as the winningest coach in PBA history. 
Dalupan has 15 titles under his belt while Cone won his 14th when he led the Llamados to the
championship of the recent Commissioner's Cup.

“We really have a problem matching up with Rain or Shine especially in the backcourt. Our guards
are smaller,” admitted Cone. “We have to get good performances from Josh Urbiztondo, Mark
Barroca and Jonas Villanueva if we are to put up a good fight.”

The three guards are pitted against bigger guys like Gabe Norwood, Ryan Arana and prized rookie Paul
Lee.

Additionally, Cone said, “Rain Or Shine has a strong import in Jamelle Cornley. Marc Pingris gives
away 40 pounds against him. Rafi Reavis gives up more. It’s hard to stop Cornley.”

Other Elasto Painters to check are Jeff Chan, Ronjay Buenafe and big men Beau Belga and JR Quinahan.

Cone is hoping that two-time Most Valuable Player James Yap would erupt consistently. With B-Meg
making it to the Finals for the second straight conference, Yap now has a big chance of winning his
third MVP award.

Yap will be working with tireless import Marcus Blakely along with Peter June Simon and Yancy de
Ocampo. 

B-Meg will continue to miss the services of Joe Calvin deVance and JC Intal due to injuries.