AFTER four long years of waiting, the balloons finally fell and the champagne was finally poured for Rain or Shine.
It was a grueling journey, but the Elasto Painters got back to the Promised Land, ending their title drought in the Philippine Basketball Association by capturing the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup championship Wednesday night against the gritty Alaska Aces.
Rain or Shine went through a sketchy start in the conference and needed to change their import thrice before peaking at the right time en route to a well-earned championship ride, finishing off the Aces, 4-2, in their best-of-seven titular showdown to claim the Commissioner’s Cup hardware.
For Elasto Painters’ team owners Terry Que and Raymond Yu, the long wait made winning the franchise’s second championship extra special, acknowledging all the heartbreaks the team suffered in the last several seasons after winning its initial title in the 2012 Governors’ Cup.
“Masayang masaya talaga kami. Talagang very proud ako na nag-champion na kami ulit,” said Que. “Talagang para sa amin ito.”
“The last time we won a championship was in 2012 and that was an Olympic year. Ngayong 2016, another olympic year so mukhang suwerte sa amin ‘to,” said Yu. “When we felt na mananalo na and makukuha na namin ‘yung championship, parang natanggal na ‘yung pressure.”
Yu further expressed his joy saying that after four heartbreaking losses in the finals in the past several seasons, it was high time that they won one again.
“We’ve been the runner-up in our last four finals appearances. Finally, we’re happy that we got another championship,” added Yu.
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, who listed his seventh overall championship as a head coach, said that the path wasn’t the easiest for the Elasto Painters, especially in the finals where they zoomed to a comfortable 3-0 lead before Alaska won two in a row to impose some threat.
“Pasalamat talaga ako sa players kasi ako medyo gumi-give-up at times. Sabi ko, baka hindi natin kaya at napakagaling ng Alaska. It is a great organization. Hindi namin maisip na masi-sweep namin sila and hindi nga talaga namin na-sweep pero nakuha namin ‘yung championship,” said Guiao, who lost just over a week ago in his re-election bid as Congressman in Pampanga.
With his consistent play throughout the finals, Rain or Shine star Paul Lee was a huge factor for the Painters in their title conquest. For this, he was deservingly named the Finals’ Most Valuable Player.
For him, the feeling of being a champion again, instead of a runner-up, is priceless.
“Ginawa ko talaga lahat para makatulong sa team at para makuha itong championship na ‘to,” said a jubilant Lee. “Sobrang saya sa pakiramdam na nag-champion na kami. Nakakasawa na rin ‘yung puro runner-up so alam ko kung gaano talaga namin kagusto na mag-champion na ulit.”
Even Rain or Shine governor Atty. Mert Mondragon wasn’t able to contain his satisfaction at what the Painters accomplished as he, like others, also detailed all their pain that led to their gain.
“Hindi naging madali ang pagkuha namin nitong pangalawang championship. Matinding pagod at hirap talaga ang dinaanan muna namin,” said Mondragon. “Una, sa pagpili ng tamang import who would willingly accept and embrace the system of our team, nahirapan kami then napakahirap ng mga naging kalaban namin.”
Mondragon was referring to the road that Rain or Shine faced in the playoffs, having to get by powerhouses Barangay Ginebra (quarterfinals), San Miguel Beer (semifinals) and finally, Alaska (finals) to hoist up the Commissioner’s Cup trophy.
While one dry spell had ended, the other continued as Alaska has now lost for the fourth straight time in the finals.