NO COMPLICATIONS, PLEASE
To avoid any complications a tie would bring, Rain or Shine tries to stretch its franchise record run to seven games as it tangles with also-ran Air21 at the close of their elimination round stint in the PLDT myDSL PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Saturday.
The Elasto Painters, going unbeaten since shattering Petron Blaze’s perfect run last Dec. 21, go for a closing 11-3 win-loss mark that will guarantee them of a Top Two finish and a twice-to-beat bonus in the quarterfinals.
Air21, meanwhile, just looks to end its stint in the tourney on a winning note.
Win or lose in the 5:15 p.m. setto, the Express will be finishing dead last in the all-Filipino tourney.
The E-Painters are out to put a lock on the No. 2 spot. A Rain or Shine loss to Air21 and a victory by Petron over Meralco in the day’s other game will forge a playoff between the E-Painters and the Boosters for the key position.
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, however, insists they will make sure not to complicate matters.
“We want to keep on winning so that we can salvage that twice-to-beat advantage,” said Guiao.
The no-nonsense bench tactician and his gritty wards are treating the Air21 match as the start of the playoffs.
“We’re on a six-game streak and they’re saying we’re the hottest team. We don’t relish that tag as, somehow, there’s some pressure there,” said Guiao.
“Iisipin na lang namin start na nang playoffs,” Guiao added.
Rain or Shine closed in on the Top Two following a jaw-dropping 89-86 win over Meralco on Wednesday.
JR Quinahan rifled in a three-pointer off Gary David at the buzzer as the E-Painters jolted the Bolts and the big crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum
The Elasto Painters perfectly executed a well-designed play in the last 0.7 seconds with Quinahan delivering the game-winning basket on a catch-and-shoot play. (SB)
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