00:00The two-day Philippine Basketball Association Governor's Cup Dubai Swing kicked off Thursday
00:20night at the Al-Shawab Club.
00:22This is the fourth time the PBA has played official matches in Dubai since 2007 and PBA
00:28Commissioner Chito Salud says the league is eager to hold more games in the Emirate.
00:49Dubai could be a lucky charm for rain or shine as the Elasto Painters earned their first
00:53win of the PBA Governor's Cup after outlasting Global Port Batang Pier 119-112 during the
00:59first of two games in Dubai.
01:01Rain or shine will return to the hardcourt Friday night against crowd-favorite Ginebra.
01:06Rain or shine coach Yang Giao shares why his team agreed to play two tough matches in two
01:11days in Dubai.
01:12One team really has to make a sacrifice.
01:13It would be very difficult to bring in four teams and spend four groups, five groups.
01:26So we know it's difficult and if one team does not make that sacrifice, something like
01:33this may not push through.
01:35It's not even a big sacrifice on our part because we enjoy being in Dubai.
01:40We enjoy playing in Dubai.
01:42We enjoy the company of the OFWs, of the expats, of our kababayans here in Dubai.
01:50The other thing is we really want to build character for the team.
01:56You go through some difficult situations, test your character, test your mental and
02:02physical toughness.
02:03We feel that if we can come out winning a few games here in Dubai, when we go back to
02:11the Philippines, we'll be a lot stronger, a lot tougher mentally especially.
02:17So it's really an advantage.
02:18Olson Rosela, assistant coach of Ginebra and point guard LA Tenorio explain why the team
02:24has started slow this conference.
02:27With regards to the adjustment, we had actually less than a month to prepare with coach Frankie
02:36as the head coach.
02:38And within that one month, we had Greg Slaughter and Javet Aguilar practicing with us.
02:48And two days prior to the opening of the tournament, Greg injured his ankle and then Javet injured
02:59his hamstring.
03:00So it was difficult for us to play without those two guys, having them the whole pre-season.
03:14So I guess that's one reason why we started out slow right now, 1-3.
03:19We're having a hard time, we're having a difficulty doing all the stuff, whereas now we're adjusting.
03:28We're adjusting to the new system.
03:30Although Ginebra is currently at the bottom of the standings after losing three of its
03:34first four games, the team is expected to have the crowd on its side against Rain or
03:38Shine as it is known to have the most avid fans in the PBA.
03:43Irish Eden Belleza for Golf News.
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