RAIN OR SHINE, MERALCO IN CRUCIAL TIFF
Rain or Shine and Meralco try to go near a Top Four berth as they meet in a critical tiff in the third to the last playdate of the PBA Governors Cup elimination round at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday.
The Elasto Painters will likely make the Magic Four and earn a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals with a win in the 5:15 p.m. match.
The Bolts, on the other hand, stay in the fight for it if they top the E-Painters in their penultimate game in the elims. After Rain or Shine, next up for Meralco is Kia on Tuesday.
Both can’t afford to lose if they’re to advance to the quarters versus an opponent with a twice-to-win task.
“We don’t want to be bothered thinking about it (the rest of the elims). Our focus is to win and get into the Top Four,” said Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao.
The Elasto Painters have a shot to be among the playoff top seeds, having won their last five games after a scrambling 1-4 start.
“We are getting down to the end of the elims so every game is crucial,” said Meralco head coach Norman Black.
The E-Painters and the Bolts meet in a grudge match following their best-of-five semifinal duel in the mid-season Commissioner’s Cup.
Rain or Shine won the series via a sweep with Meralco import Josh Davis getting injured in Game 2 and failing to play Game 3.
“We must get back on defense and control the defensive board. Slowing down their import (Wendell McKines) will also be a priority. Offensively, ball movement and teamwork will be key,” said Black.
The Bolts went above .500 mark and closed in on the leaders as they repulsed the Barangay Ginebra Kings, 102-99, the last time.
The E-Painters are hot on a romp with victories over Blackwater (123-85), Talk n Text (88-73), NLEX (106-102), Purefoods (103-88) and Kia (94-90). (SB)
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