MOVING ON, MOVING FORWARD
Rain or Shine takes another shot at formalizing its entry into the quarterfinals while Talk n Text fights for survival as they clash in the third to the last play date of the PBA Governors’ Cup elimination round at the Cuneta Astrodome Wednesday.
The Elasto Painters also hope to keep their chances to make the Top Four for a twice-to-beat bonus in the quarters as they battle with the Tropang Texters at 7:30 p.m.
With a 4-4 win-loss slate, Rain or Shine shares fourth spot with Barako Bull, a full game behind joint second placers Meralco (5-3) and San Mig Coffee (5-3), and just half a game in front of Alaska (3-4) and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (3-4).
It’s the E-Painters’ last game in the elims and last chance to go above .500 that could give them a shot at the Top Four.
At 2-5, the Texters, for their part, are focused on hanging on to dear life, and coach Norman Black is hopeful their new import Courtney Fells could give them a lift.
“We hope to get a lift from him especially on the defensive end of the floor,” said Black.
“It’s pretty much do or die for us,” Black added. “It’s a tough task but we will give all our energy to get a win.”
Fells, a 27-year-old Shannon, Mississippi native who has had tours of duties in Dominican Republic, Italy and Cyprus, arrived in the country Saturday to take over from Tony Mitchell.
For the record, Mitchell is the one and only import who’s been replaced thus far.
Black hopes the former North Carolina State mainstay to be a driving force that can help Talk n Text out of a three-game slump.
The Texters fell to ninth place on a 102-106 upset by the Air21 Express Friday. Their 2-5 card is the franchise’s worst start in an import-laced tourney for over a decade.
Rain or Shine, meanwhile, could have been in the quarters already if not for its sorry downfall Saturday, felled by Mac Baracael’s three charities with three-tenths of a second left in the game.
The team intended to place the the game under protest, but failed to submit the protest paper within the allowed period.
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, however, said they’re ready to move on as the Texters are hoping to move forward with their new import.
Guiao said they will try to come out strong to win their last game in the elims. (SB)
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