E-PAINTERS WARY OF EXPRESS LIGHTNING
THE first time Rain or Shine and Air21 met in the PBA Governors’ Cup the Express pulled off a 103-96 victory, no little thanks to a surprise package in Dominique Sutton and the absence of Elasto Painters coach Yeng Guiao.
Things could be a lot different when the two teams clash anew but this time in the PLDT Home Telpad-sponsored tourney’s quarterfinals phase 5:45 p.m. Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
By virtue of finishing the eliminations with a five-game streak, Rain or Shine copped the second seed and a twice-to-beat advantage over seventh-ranked Air21.
That winning roll and higher ranking should make the E-Painters the odds-on favorite to make the duel a quick one. But Guiao is not so sure.
“It’s very interesting. Air21 is gonna be a handful for us,” said Guiao, adding how he can now atone for his absence then, when he was away on a business trip abroad.
“This is my chance to redeem myself in terms of being able to help my team playing against Air21,” stated Guiao without failing to point out how the Express managed to overcome such a handicap to upend San Miguel Beer in the mid-season Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals and go on to finish fourth.
“New challenge for us,” was how Air21 coach Franz Pumaren put it.
There is ample reason for Guiao to feel wary.
Sutton debuted in the league with 25 points and 10 rebounds he highlighted with a key basket in the last 27 seconds of the teams’ initial meeting and is now toting averages of 25 points, 15.11 rebounds and 2.40 steals per game.
It is not only the muscle-bound import who is Guiao’s concern, however, as 41-year-old center Asi Taulava has also been steady with 18.1 points and 12.8 rebounds per game.
“They’re a big team and we have always had problems with big teams,” noted Guiao. “We’re a small team and we have a small import. Asi and Sutton will be a problem. We just have to deny them touches at the low post.”
Pumaren is understandably eager to wield the lightning bolt but admittedly has his own concerns.
“The way AZ (Arizona) Reid is shooting we need to find ways to minimize his scoring,” said Pumaren of the 6-3 import, who has been key for Rain or Shine’s recent run with averages of 30.3 points, 13.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists.
And although the E-Painters may be smaller, they have quickness on their side which they translated to 107 points per game in their last five outings.
“We need to slow down Rain or Shine and control their offensive weapons. We must hold them to below 90 points,” stressed Pumaren. (NC)
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