Rain or Shine takes on GlobalPort in crucial stretch for top 6
An outright quarterfinals berth is there for the taking for Rain or Shine.
The Elasto Painters, however, aren’t merely looking at a quarters entry. They’re out to make the Top Six, and the way to do it is to sweep their last two games in the Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
First up for Rain or Shine is Globalport in a rare Tuesday bill at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, then Blackwater on Sunday also at the Big Dome.
The Batang Pier and the Elite are both already out of contention for the post-elims play. The E-Painters’ fear is to fall in the traps of complacency.
“Ayaw namin ma-eliminate, ayaw din namin maging No. 7 or No. 8. With two games left, the goal is to make No. 6 at the very least,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
The E-Painters seek to formalize quarters entry in their immediate game versus the Batang Pier at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
But the Batang Pier aren’t expected to just come out and go through the motion though out of it all with a 2-7 win-loss card. They can be very dangerous playing with no pressure at all.
In a bid to salvage what was left in their aspiration in the tourney, Globalport brought back Terrence Romeo and Stanley Pringle the last time out and narrowly lost to NLEX, 105-110.
Romeo announced his comeback from a calf strain with eight three-pointers and a total of 27 markers while Pringle came through with 11 points and seven assists.
They could well be up for exciting matchups with Paul Lee, Jericho Cruz and Maverick Ahanmisi.
“We’re still looking for Paul (Lee) to get his rhythm back. Babalik din yan,” said Guiao.
Another concern for the E-Painters is Globalport import Shawn Taggart with his solid norms of 31.7 ppg, 13.7 rpg and 2.7 apg.
Rain or Shine’s Mo Charlo sports less impressive stats line with 24.3 ppg, 9.7 rpg and 3.7 apg.
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