Streaking Painters face skidding Enforcers
PBA IMAGES
Rain or Shine and Mahindra have mini streaks going, but are headed towards opposite directions.
As to which roll will end will be known on Wednesday when the Elasto Painters and Enforcers collide in the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The winner of the game joins idle Barangay Ginebra at 4-3 while the loser is relegated to the logjam at seventh to 10th.
For Chito Victolero, calling the shots for Mahindra in lieu of playing-coach Manny Pacquiao, the biggest key in his Enforcers’ bid to snap out of a two-game slide will be their defense.
“We need that sense of urgency, to play much better defense now,” said Victolero. “Every time we allowed our opponents to score 100-plus points we lose the game. So we need to tighten our defense in order for us to win this game.”
Easier said than done for a Mahindra squad that gives up an average of 103.5 points – third-worst in the league – and against a Rain or Shine team that has averaged 102.2 points in its first six outings, good for third behind Alaska (105.2) and San Miguel Beer (104.6).
Also, the E-Painters are on a two-game run and their confidence jacked no end by a pulsating 108-105 victory over San Miguel Beer just last Friday.
“We hope to keep our win-streak and build momentum going to the second half of the eliminations,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, making special mention of new import Mo Charlo and returning guard Paul Lee.
In his debut against the Beermen, the 6-foot-4 Charlo exploded for 35 points, anchored on a 6-for-8 shooting from deep, and also had 13 rebounds.
After sitting out the sixth and final game of Rain or Shine’s Philippine Cup semifinal series against eventual champion SMB due to his nagging knee injury, Lee saw action for the first time in the mid-season conference against the Beermen, logging three points and two rebounds in 16 minutes.
“Mo Charlo gave us a big lift the last time around and we expect another strong performance from him versus Mahindra,” said Guiao. “Paul Lee should also be a bigger factor after his break in the game versus San Miguel.”
How each team’s stocked arsenal rises up to the challenge is another question to be answered.
Augustus Gilchrist has been steady for the Enforcers with 21.3 points and 11.5 rebounds per game and Nino Canaleta, Aldrech Ramos, LA Revilla and Karl Dehesa are each usually good for at least 10 points a night.
Victolero’s main concern should be stopping the E-Painters from controlling the boards and thus set off their running game.
Perimeter defense is also a must for Mahindra since Rain or Shine boasts of a horde of other three-point threats led by Jeff Chan, Chris Tiu, Jericho Cruz, Don Trollano, Maverick Ahanmisi and even big boys Beau Belga and JR Quiñahan.
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