ACHING FOR A WIN
For both Rain or Shine and San Miguel Beer, the final reminder before the game is that it’s a short conference and no team can afford to fall behind early.
Both losing their conference debut, the Elasto Painters and the Beermen are both eager to bounce back as they square off in the PLDT Home Telpad PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday night.
They play in the day’s mainer at 8 p.m.
“We have to regroup and get behind our system. I don’t see the usual desire and determination that this team is known for. It’s really just getting back to finding our old character,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
“We look forward to starting strong, being aggressive and playing our defensive principles the entire 48 minutes,” said San Miguel Beer coach Biboy Ravanes.
Minus Guiao who was then on a business trip abroad and with an injury-crippled lineup last Tuesday, the Elasto Painters bowed to the Air21 Express, 96-103, for the first time ever.
The Beermen, on the other hand, fought the Alaska Aces neck-and-neck before going scoreless in the last 4:37 of play in a sorry 87-94 loss on opening day.
San Miguel is now buried in a hole of disappointments, after being upset by Air21 in their Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals matchup.
“We expect a tough game since both are coming from a loss. We have to focus on better execution and the locals must step up,” said Ravanes.
Despite the loss Sunday, the Beermen saw bright hopes as provided by Reggie William’s no-nonsense performance.
The four-year NBA veteran was cool and efficient as evident in his 42-point and nine-rebound PBA debut.
The former Golden State Warrior, Charlotte Bobcat and OKC Thunder hardly had waste moves, going 7-of-12 from the three-point land, 7-of-11 from the two-point zone and 7-of-10 from the stripe.
Former Best Import winner AZ Reid, meanwhile, struggled with the E-Painters versus the Express.
In reviewing the video, Guiao insisted he didn’t see their character.
Both teams are expected to do their best to get back in their old system in a bid to avoid dropping to 0-2. (SB)
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