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Elimination round topnotcher and playoffs top seed Rain or Shine resumes its quest for a third PBA Finals appearance in the last four conferences when it takes on No. 5-ranked Meralco at the start of their best-of-five semifinal in the Commissioner’s Cup playoffs.
Fresh from a 92-91 elimination of crowd-favorite Barangay Ginebra in a controversial but legit win last Saturday at the MOA Arena, the Elasto Painters take on the Bolts in the 7:00 p.m. lone game Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Meralco is coming off a sweep of NLEX in their best-of-three quarterfinal last Sunday which the Bolts clinched via a 91-85 overtime win, after battling back from deficits of as much as 20 in the third period and 14 in the payoff canto.
It was the first time in franchise history Meralco won a best-of-three playoff series after having lost its previous six, the last three in the Commissioner’s Cup from 2012 to 2014 where the Bolts took 1-0 leads in a best-of-three quarterfinal each time.
Both teams are squaring off in the conference playoffs for the second straight time in the Commissioner’s Cup.
In last season’s tourney, Rain or Shine eliminated Meralco in a best-of-three quarterfinal despite losing the series opener.
But the Elasto Painters were swept in the best-of-five semifinals by Talk ‘N Text which was then being handled by Norman Black, who is now Meralco head coach.
Black’s Rain or Shine counterpart Yeng Guiao believes if his team has any advantage over Meralco, it’s only because they have been playing together as a team longer than the Bolts.
“We are just an experienced team but we’re not as talented as Meralco,” Guiao said after their win over the Kings.
Rain or Shine, which won the championship the last time it topped the elims (in the 2012 Governors Cup), is in a sixth straight Final 4 appearance and seventh in the last eight conferences.
“We have to have a very good effort from our import and our (local) players. We know how strong Rain or Shine is. It’s gonna be tough for us,” said Black, whose team is reeling from the loss of Jared Dillinger who injured his knee in Game 1 of the quarterfinals against NLEX and is doubtful to see action in the semis.
Meralco won its elimination round meeting against Rain or Shine 92-87 last Feb. 10 with the Bolts battling back from a 13-point fourth quarter deficit. But the Elasto Painters still had Rick Jackson as import then. (FM)
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