Phoenix, Rain or Shine in crucial tiff
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Rain or Shine and Phoenix both know now is the time to make their move if they hope to make the Oppo-PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals.
That’s precisely the reason why the Elasto Painters and Fuelmasters aim to translate their heightened sense of urgency into game-winning performance when they clash Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“We need to win our last three games to secure safe passage into the next round so every game is a big game for us,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
“We could probably afford a loss in our last three games, but we all know our chances would be much better if we can get a win in each of those,” said Phoenix coach Koy Banal.
Only the top eight teams following the 11-game eliminations advance to the next round.
Rain or Shine is currently tied for sixth, but a loss would slide it down to ninth and a tie with Star while Phoenix would take over the former’s place.
The E-Painters would have been in a more comfortable position if not for their 103-114 loss to Tropang TNT last March 21, cutting short their winning run at three.
Banal expects Rain or Shine to bounce right back.
“If a good team like Rain or Shine is coming from a loss their opponent should be worried about how they are going to play in their next game,” he said. “So we’re expecting them to really come out strong against us tomorrow.”
Phoenix is coming off a 124-120 overtime win over Blackwater just last Wednesday and Banal said his players’ mindset will be key.
“The reminder is just to stay basic,” stated Banal. “No special gameplan. More than the physical aspect of the game we want to be ready mentally.”
Paul Lee, who hurt his knee in the TNT game, is suiting up and ready to play but Guiao is more focused on how Mo Charlo would perform this time around.
After a sterling 35-point debut, Charlo has averaged only 19 points the last two games while attempting a total 22 times in said outings.
“I’m expecting our import to show better numbers than his last two games,” said Guiao. “His numbers dipped after an impressive debut so now is the time for him to recover his old form.”
Phoenix has its own main weapon in Kevinn Pinkney, who has been averaging nearly 24 points and a little over 14 rebounds per game. But the likes of RR Garcia, JC Intal, Mac Baracael and Willy Wilson are also there to provide chief support.
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