Game Tomorrow
(Araneta Coliseum)
7.m. – San Miguel vs Ginebra

Despite not making it to the Finals, Burger King head coach Yeng Guiao was somehow satisfied with the way the Whopper performed in the Motolite-PBA Fiesta Cup.

In his first conference as mentor of the Bert Lina-owned team, Guiao helped Burger King get some sort of a consolation as it finished third by beating Rain or Shine, 132-118, last night at the Araneta Coliseum.

Wingman Arwind Santos, a strong contender for the season’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, scattered 27 points with 13 rebounds and three assists as BK claimed a third place finish for the third time in team history.

Shooting guard Gary David contributed 17 points while import Shawn Daniels added 17 markers with 11 boards, four assists and three steals.

"Third place is not bad, we had a good performance," said Guiao, who joined the team prior to the conference after parting ways with Red Bull (now Barako Bull). "Half of the team are new, so the room for improvement is really big for the team."

"We’re looking forward to next conference, we’ll have the No. 1 pick in the (PBA Rookie) Draft. There are a lot of upsides for this team," he added.

Burger King and Rain or Shine lost to their respective Final Four opponents, San Miguel Beer and defending champion Barangay Ginebra, which both ended in six games.

Nevertheless, it was the best finish – fourth – so far for Rain or Shine owned by buddies Terry Que and Raymund Yu since joining the 2006 PBA Season. In their first four conferences, they finished 10th overall before making the quarters in the quarterfinals of the Philippine Cup.

According to Guiao, in his first conference with Burger King, which opened a 71-50 lead at halftime, the players were able to adapt to his system, saying "We competed, put the mentality for this team."

"We put together a combination in veterans like Gary David and Arwind Santos, with newcomers Aaron (Aban) and Mark (Yee). I think guys like also Beau Belga and Erick Rodriguez, they performed way above expectations," he said.

Unless management trades the top pick in this year’s Draft, which the team obtained in a deal with the Bulls this season (in exchange for Gabby Espinas), Guiao said they are planning on tabbing Japeth Aguilar "if he decides to apply for the Draft."

First Game

BURGER KING 132 – Santos 27, David 17, Daniels 16, Rodriguez 15, Aban 13, Sharma 13, Yee 10, Billones 8, Belga 6, Arboleda 4, Cruz 3.

RAIN OR SHINE 118 – Rain or Shine 118 - Isip 29, Arana 24, Laure 17, Lewis 14, Andaya 9, Tang 8, Ibanes 7, Salangsang 5, Dulay 3, Ejercito 2.

Quarters: 36-23, 71-50, 101-80, 132-118.