LOCAL BOOSTERS TRY TO HOLD FORT VS. E-PAINTERS
PANABO City – “What doesn’t kill you can only make you stronger” is an adage Petron Blaze coach Olsen Racela firmly believes in.
That is why Racela and his Boosters come collectively armed with a steelier resolve when they tangle with Rain or Shine Saturday in a PBA Commissioner’s Cup road game at the Panabo City Coliseum here.
Petron will be playing minus a reinforcement, but Racela said he trusts his charges to turn that handicap into an additional challenge against a Rain or Shine crew also aiming to get back on track through the Phoenis Fuels-sponsored match.
“Marami nang mga pinagdaanan ang team na ito pero lahat ng iyon, tingin ko makakatulong para lalo pang i-develop ang character namin, ng team na ito as a whole,” said Racela.
He was specifically referring to the banishment from the league of original import Renaldo Balkman in the aftermath of the Puerto Rican’s meltdown in the endgame of a 73-83 loss to Alaska Friday last week.
The replacement, familar face Rodney White, is set to arrive only Sunday morning and will be suiting up in Petron’s game against Talk N Text Friday.
Before leaving Barako Bull to attend to his ailing father last season, the 6-9 White played five games and averaged 29.8 points, 13.2 rebounds and 5.8 assists. But whether he can come up with those numbers anew remains to be seen.
For sure to be missed are Balkman’s six-game averages of 24.5 points, 13.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.7 blocks and 2.0 steals.
Racela said his charges, led by the likes of big men June Mar Fajardo and Dorian Pena, should hold the fort.
“Kalaban pa namin ang team with the tallest import kaya talagang challenge for our bigs. Mapapasubo talaga sila,” said Racela.
Petron coming in without a reinforcement should be welcome news for Rain or Shine, which saw its winning streak cut short at five following a 76-86 loss to the Tropang Texters last Wednesday.
There should be an additional plus for the Elasto Painters. Jeff Chan’s fractured left thumb, which caused him to sit out their last six games, has sufficiently healed enough for him to suit up.
Also, coach Yeng Guiao is back after missing the TNT game to attend to some personal matters in the US.
Aside from 7-2 Croatian Bruno Sundov, Guiao is expected to rely most on bigs Beau Belga and JR Quinahan while banking most on Gabe Norwood, Paul Lee, Jireh Ibanes and Jervy Cruz in the matchups against Alex Cabagnot, Marcio Lassiter, Arwind Santos and Jay Washington. (NC)
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