#PBA2015 PREVIEW: PUREFOODS STAR HOTSHOTS vs RAIN OR SHINE ELASTO-PAINTERS – CAN THE RAIN STOP THE STARS FROM SHINING?

Rain or Shine is coming off a tough loss, getting the rug pulled from under them by the Meralco Bolts. They led by as many as 13 points in that game, but they still lost as Meralco scored 30 points in the fourth quarter. Coach Yeng Guiao and his wards definitely want to bounce back from such a debilitating loss.

Purefoods Star, meanwhile, is coming off a statement win over the NLEX Road Warriors. Despite it being Daniel Orton’s debut game, the former D-League and Kentucky star still impressed as the Hotshots won their fourth straight game to stay on top of the league standings. With Orton continuing his adjustment to the triangle offense, Purefoods has a really strong chance to go up 5-0.

Here are some things to watch in this game:

1. BIG DADDY DANIEL vs ACTION JACKSON

Without a doubt, this will be the marquee match-up in this game, as both guys are solid low block operators. Orton didn’t have a good shooting game in his debut against NLEX, but he was effective as a rebounder and rim protector. Jackson, meanwhile, had a monster double-double against the Bolts, but he couldn’t stop Josh Davis when it mattered the most in the fourth quarter.

Orton stats: 16.0ppg, 12.0rpg, 3.0bpg, 3.0apg, 41.7 FG%

Jackson stats: 21.3ppg, 16.5rpg, 3.8apg, 2.0bpg, 43.8 FG%

2. NEGROS HOTSHOT vs NEGROS SNIPER

Another exciting match-up here is between two of the best shooters in the PBA — James Yap and Jeff Chan, both of whom hail from Negros. Right now, both guys are struggling a bit shooting the ball from long range, but neither players is known to be gun-shy, so look for them to continue letting it fly.

James Yap: 3/13 3pts in 4 games, 23.1 3pt% (career average 31.2%)

Jeff Chan: 5/16 3pts in 4 games, 31.3 3pt% (career average 31.9%)

3. STAR PRINCE vs LEETHAL WEAPON

The match-up at the point guard spot will also be critical in this game as wily defensive wiz Mark Barroca will try to outplay the headstrong Paul Lee. Barroca has been doing really well of late, leading all Purefoods locals in scoring. Lee, meanwhile, has been tearing up the conference, averaging 18 points per game. It will be interesting to see who gets the better of whom in this encounter.

Barroca stats: 12.0ppg, 6.3rpg, 2.3apg, 51.3 FG%

Lee stats: 18.0ppg, 7.3rpg, 1.8apg, 52.0 3pt%, 42.9 FG%

Previous game (ROS over PUR, 83-74, last Nov. 30, 2014):

Barroca: 8pts, 5rebs, 1ast, 3/13 FGs

Lee: 18pts, 4rebs, 5asts, 5/16 FGs, 6/6 FTs

4. PINOY SAKURAGI vs ELASTIKMAN

The match-up in the frontcourt will be very important, too, as established veteran Marc Pingris tries to butt heads with young big man Raymond Almazan. Pingris has been playing really well this conference after an inconsistent campaign in the Philippine Cup, so it’ll be interesting to see how Almazan, playing in only his second season, will respond.

Pingris stats: 9.8ppg, 5.8rpg, 2.0apg, 65.2 FG%

Almazan stats: 6.5ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.0bpg, 60.0 FG%

5. SUPER SUBS vs SILENT ASSASSINS

– So far this conference, Purefoods has been doing really well thanks to the awesome performance of its bench, led by super subs Justin Melton and Allein Maliksi. Together with Barroca, both Melton and Maliksi have provided awesome firepower and depth off the bench for Purefoods. On the other end, ROS will rely on silent assassins Jonathan Uyloan and Gabe Norwood to counter the Hotshots’ reserves. If Uyloan can catch fire and Norwood can do what he does best — be a stopper — then ROS can neutralize coach Tim Cone’s bench mob.

Melton + Maliksi combined stats: 18.5ppg, 5.3rpg, 4.3apg, 2.3spg, 45.8 3pt%, 48.3 FG%

Uyloan + Norwood combined stats: 14.8ppg, 4.3rpg, 3.8apg, 2.3spg, 39.1 3pt%, 41.3 FG%

*In these teams’ previous meeting, Melton had 8pts, 11rebs, and 4asts, while Norwood compiled 11pts, 9rebs, and 2asts.

6. SHARING THE WEALTH

One thing going well for the Hotshots is that they’ve been sharing the basketball well. In their last game, the Hotshots were +13 in assists against NLEX. Purefoods assisted on 23 of their 28 made field goals — that’s a great testament to their teamwork. If they can continue doing that here, then the game may be over soon.

Assists vs NLX: 23 to 10

Melton – 6asts

Pingris – 4asts

Orton – 3asts

Devance – 3asts

7. PROTECT THE BALL

As for ROS, one thing that aided their downfall against Meralco was turnovers. The Painters were +6 in turnovers against the Bolts, and Meralco pounced on ROS’s errors, scoring 20 points-off-turnovers. Without a doubt, coach Yeng’s wards have to do a much better job of taking care of the basketball. Against a solid defensive team like Purefoods, the Painters will have to be on  top of their game.

Vs Meralco: 15 turnovers to Meralco’s 9

Jackson – 4 TOs

Tang, Araña, & Quiñahan – 2 TOs each

8. MOMENTUM WANTED

Upon looking at their remaining schedules, it’s clear that both these teams would benefit greatly from winning this game. If Purefoods wins, they’ll continue to be at first place and should have some cushion as they have dangerous Kia and sister teams Ginebra and SMB as their next three opponents. ROS, for its part, needs to win a bit more badly, especially because they won’t get any easy assignment in the near future. They battle Alaska, currently unbeaten Barako Bull, and SMB in their next three contests.

REMAINING SKED:

PUR:

Feb 18 – vs KIA

Feb 22 – vs GINEBRA

Mar 1 – vs SMB

ROS:

Feb 20 – vs ALASKA

Feb 27 – vs BARAKO BULL

Mar 13 – vs SMB

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