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Rain or Shine Elasto Painters 103
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Blackwater Elite 81
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Rain or Shine plunges back into action vs unpredictable Blackwater

Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao’s worst fears came true in his team’s last game. He just hopes the same would not be true this time around.

The Elasto Painters take on unpredictable Blackwater Saturday, hoping to get back on track and reclaim a share of the lead in the Smart Bro-PBA Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Despite a 93-103 loss to defending champion San Miguel Beer, foiling their bid to follow up their breakthrough win, the Elite remain dangerous and this fact is not lost on Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao himself.

“We can’t be complacent. Blackwater is capable of springing upsets,” said Guiao, whose team has had a long break following a 111-113 loss to GlobalPort last Friday.

“We are excited to play after a long layoff. Also, we have to erase the memory of our painful loss to GlobalPort,” added Guiao.

That queasy feeling is not new to the grizzled tactician.

Going to the GlobalPort match Guiao expressed concerns about the Batang Pier’s fiery guards, led by Stanley Pringle and Terrence Romeo, and that team’s three-point shooting.

True enough, Pringle and Romeo combined for 52 points and had Keith Jensen chipping in 21 while accounting for five of GlobalPort’s 15 triples.

Blackwater may not have the same explosive backcourt men, but Mike Cortez and/or Carlo Lastimosa sure could deliver, as well as Raphy Reyes and rookie Almond Vosotros.

Also, coach Leo Isaac has at his disposal Keith Agovida, Bambam Gamalinda, James Sena and Reil Cervantes, who have the capability to catch fire at any time.

Against the Beermen, Erram even became the Elite’s rallying point with his career-high 23 points on top of eight rebounds. Too bad the Elite ultimately showed they still lack the required maturity and practically folded in the stretch.

“Blackwater is no longer lacking in talent in order to make a mark in this league,” noted Guiao.

“Teams that don’t take them seriously will be made to pay for their folly.” (NC)

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