E-PAINTERS FACE BEERMEN IN ANOTHER SLAM-BANG BATTLE
Two other heavyweights in Rain or Shine and San Miguel Beer clash in Day Two of the 2015 PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Tuesday night.
The Elasto Painters and the Beermen slug it out at 7 p.m. looking to match the feat of the Barangay Ginebra Kings over Talk n Text on opening day at the Philippine Arena.
“Ito ang magde-determine kung gaano na kalayo ang narating ng training namin,” said new San Miguel Beer head coach Leo Austria.
“Laging sinasabi ng mga tao powerhouse ang San Miguel Beer. Payag ako kung mabibigyan pa kami ng panahon na i-perfect ang bagong system sa team,” Austria also said.
The one-time ABL champion coach said Rain or Shine has the edge in terms of familiarity with one another and with their tested winning scheme under coach Yeng Guiao.
Guiao can’t hide his optimism with his team that made the Finals twice last season.
“We’re excited to start our season. The team is moving well and is in great shape. We hope to convert this optimism to success on the court,” said Guiao.
“We know San Miguel Beer is a hard match-up especially June Mar (Fajardo), but we will find a way to contain him,” Guiao also said.
The Elasto Painters are hopeful though starting the season minus Gabe Norwood and Chris Tiu.
Norwood has taken a US vacation following his stint with Gilas Pilipinas while Tiu is nursing a pulled hamstring.
“Solid yang Rain or Shine. Gamay na gamay nila ang bawat isa at ang sistema nila kay coach Yeng (Guiao),” said Austria.
The returning PBA coach, however, himself is confident they can find a way to beat the Elasto Painters.
Surrounding Fajardo are Arwind Santos, Sol Mercado, Rico Maierhofer, Chris Lutz, Chris Ross, Paolo Hubalde, Marcio Lassiter, Doug Kramer, Justin Chua, Ronald Tubid and new recruits Ronald Pascual and Bitoy Omolon.
Gilas players Jeff Chan, Paul Lee and Beau Belga, meanwhile, banner the RoS team that introduces only one new face in rookie Jericho Cruz. (SB)
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