ON-FIRE E-PAINTERS SHOOT FOR 4TH STRAIGHT W
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao believes their performance against NLEX Tuesday can be the foretelling of what they can do in their killer homestretch facing Purefoods, Alaska and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
The Elasto Painters try to stick close to the leaders while the Road Warriors hope to formalize entry into the playoffs as they clash in a crucial tiff in the PBA Philippine Cup at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“We are slowly hitting our stride but we have to constantly guard against complacency. I see good signs of recovering from a bad start,” said Guiao.
“The NLEX game will sustain this momentum if we can muster a win,” Guiao added
The current team standings suggest NLEX is calm before the storm for Rain or Shine.
The E-Painters must hurdle the Road Warriors if RoS is to stay within striking distance of Alaska (7-1) and San Miguel Beer (6-1) in the fight for the Top Two.
Rain or Shine is at 5-2, having won its last three games against Barako Bull, GlobalPort and Meralco.
Guiao insists they would not take NLEX lightly.
“As always Asi (Taulava) is a matchup problem specially when they hit their outside shots. More so now we’re shorthanded with our bigs with Jervy (Cruz) recovering from a calf injury,” said Guiao.
NLEX is in a precarious position at 3-4.
The Road Warriors may well land a spot in the playoffs. But if they don’t improve, they face a team with a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
Against Rain or Shine, NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez said they have to play a perfect game to win.
“Rain or Shine is a tough match-up for us. They are really playing well as a team. They are the best team right now in points made and one of the top defensive teams,” said Fernandez.
The youthful NLEX coach, however, said they would be ready. (SB)
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