Mahindra faces Rain or Shine, chases playoff bonus
Mahindra, already assured of a playoff berth, chases a loftier goal as it takes on Rain or Shine in the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday night.
The Enforcers take the floor at 7 p.m. with their sights set on win No. 7 that will guarantee them of at least a tie for fourth place at the close of the elimination round. The ultimate goal is to land in the Top Four for a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
But for sure, they will have to work hard for it especially against the Rain or Shine squad that is hard pressed to do good in its last four games to salvage a spot in the Final Eight.
After dropping three of their last four games, the ROS management has decided to cut Dior Lowhorn and sign up a replacement in veteran PBA campaigner Jason Forte.
“We are struggling so this game becomes more important to us if we are to survive the elims,” said ROS coach Yeng Guiao.
“We have a new import, but our attitude is the locals will have to take most of the responsibility, and whatever the import contributes is just the bonus,” Guiao also said.
“Chemistry and flow is what is missing in our game. We hope we can get back in time,” he added.
The E-Painters have fallen down to joint sixth with the Phoenix Fuel Masters at 3-4, just half-game ahead of Alaska Milk, Globalport and NLEX at 3-5. They are all virtually out of the fight for the Top Four.
Mahindra coach Chris Gavina said they have a job cut off for them versus the E-Painters, the Commissioner’s Cup champs and the only team to have made at least the Final Four of each of the last nine PBA tourneys.
The Enforcers, however, ooze with confidence especially coming off their 107-104 upset of the previously unbeaten TNT side.
With the win over the Texters, the Enforcers are now heading to a first-ever PBA playoff appearance in franchise history.
James White came through with 24 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals, KG Canaleta fired away two three-pointers and a total of 13 markers while guards LA Revilla, Paolo Taha and Michael DiGregorio combined for 38 points as Mahindra made a major breakthrough with a sixth win in seven starts.
“It’s a new ground for us. We’re very happy for the franchise as we’d never won six games in a conference before,” said Gavina.
“We’re moving in the right direction. But we want to stay level headed, not too high and not too low. We want to stay consistent on what we’re doing day to day,” Gavina also said.
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