PACESETTING E-PAINTERS TACKLE BOOSTERS
Off to a swashbuckling two-zero start, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters are confident they would be meaner and tougher plunging back into action after a five-day rest.
Jeff Chan and Gabe Norwood are tipped to start playing longer minutes as the Elasto Painters tangle with the Petron Blaze Boosters at the resumption of the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday.
“The five-day break is a good way to get Gabe and Jeff into their regular rhythm. They should be 85 to 90 percent when we get to the Petron game,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
Rain or Shine and Petron clash at 7:30 p.m. in a duel with an exciting side battle with Guiao and his former assistant Gie Abanilla.
“I’m looking forward to that. It’s a special moment playing against one of my mentors,” said Abanilla, who served as Guiao’s assistant at Red Bull.
For Guiao, it’s just another game.
Sans Norwood and Chan, the Elasto Painters were still impressive in their 2-0 start in their title-retention campaign, drubbing the San Mig Coffee Mixers, 79-75, on Aug. 14 then routing the Globalport Batang Pier, 94-74 three days later.
“Malaking bagay sa short-conference format yung 2-0. The best chance you get to go to next round is to win early,” said Guiao.
Petron, however, could be a tougher challenge for Rain or Shine with its formidable lineup that hit its stride in its 101-95 win over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Sunday.
Petron dropped its first game in the tourney versus Meralco, 83-89.
Petron broke free from a tight seesawing game in the homestretch and gifted Abanilla his first win as PBA head coach with a 101-95 dumping of Barangay Ginebra.
“It’s a good win and it’s something special. But I must admit, nagkakapaan pa rin kami sa isa’t isa,” said Abanilla. (SB)
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