Are you ready for Rain or Shine?

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Rain or Shine seems to be the yardstick of the PBA now.  A yardstick on how the other teams should be preparing for their future games or how they should beef up their lineups in terms of physicality and durability.  

They may not have the swagger like the other teams but they surely know how to win.  They did so by conquering the most recent PBA season with a bang.  

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Their so called "unorthodox" physical defensive style is creating havoc around the league.  But this is really not something new to the league, it's just a rebirth of the style of defense the PBA has had in it's early years.

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Coach Yeng Guiao put it by saying that they lack the height or the ceiling but surely have made up for it on heft particularly with his combo guys fondly called "The Extra Rice Incorporated" compose of Beau Belga and JR Quinahan.  

Let's not forget he also has a bunch of foot soldiers that will do just as they're told in the presence of Ryan "the karate chop" Arana and Warren "the side swiper" Ibanez.

Interaksyon.com

Interaksyon.com

Interaksyon.com

I'm not really a fan of ROS mainly because of their game style but what I do admire with this team is their hard core character.  

This primarily is due to the system established by Coach Yeng whose hard core defense is a testament of his strong character.  

Many are ticked off with how this team plays defense and there's a very good reason for this - they try compensating their team's lacking in physical attributes and talent.

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But if you come to think of it, is it really due to the physicality this team shows off every game that makes them the number 1 most hated team in the league or it's just simply the guys doing the "Deed"?  The less popular guys doing the damage literally are now getting headlines.  Imagine 3 - 5 technical fouls on average per game?  Nice stat to boost up in your credential.  

What does that even mean?  Are they still playing basketball or basketbrawl?  And the funny part is that whenever they get these "T's" they act as if they didn't deserve the call or that they didn't do anything with the hand gestures and all.  Or if the other team retaliated and hurt one of their primary guys the bench goes amock cursing all over the place asking for something grave from the officials.  Crazy.

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I just don't see Chris Tiu being a part of ROS future though as I am not sure what his role will be in this kind of system.  His demeanor is absolutely in contrast to that of his team.  

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But of course, we see Gabe Norwood and Jeff Chan both great players complimenting and thriving in this type of system.  

Rain or Shine's no - non sense attitude and aggressiveness is something that other teams should try to imitate.  This character that gets misunderstood as a sign of aggression have already made it mark in everyone's mind - If you play Rain or Shine, it's going to be a war.  

Getting ready for this team is an understatement.  

Come unprepared they will "roll over" you literally.  Bring your "A" game, they will still chop you on the ground.  Win or lose, you still get beat up by Rain or shine.  And that's just how ROS is.  Either you love them or hate them.  It's your choice.  

You can hate them all you want, but that's how they win games, so suck it up.  Man it up.  Love them?  That's another story.