Games today:

(Ynares Center-Antipolo)

5:15 p.m. — Terrafirma vs Rain or Shine

7:30 p.m. — Phoenix vs Magnolia

Regaining their respective spots on top will be the motivation of Rain or Shine and Magnolia when they tackle separate foes in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) 50th Season Philippine Cup on Friday at the Ynares Center-Antipolo in Antipolo City.

Riding the crest of back-to-back victories, the Elasto Painters are set to open this explosive Halloween double-header when they battle struggling Terrafirma at 5:15 p.m. while the Hotshots clash with Phoenix in the second game at 7:30 p.m.

With the off-season acquisition of veteran playmaker Stanley Pringle, the Elasto Painters have been making a strong impression due to their newfound firepower, speed and maturity in the early stretch of the league’s golden season.

They opened the season with a pulsating 96-95 victory over Meralco on 11 October before a 111-93 heartbreaker of a loss to powerhouse San Miguel Beer on 19 October. But a week later, Rain or Shine stormed back with back-to-back wins over Blackwater, 110-100, on 24 October and Titan Ultra, 112-111, last Sunday, to occupy a spot at the top of the team standings with a 3-1 card.

“I guess it’s just accumulated experience, learning from making the semis and being able to get the stops, making the right plays at the right time. Again, I consider it as a sign of maturity,” Guiao said, happy to see the core of Leonard Santillan, Gian Mamuyac, Keith Datu Adrian Nocum, Caelan Tiongson and Andrei Caracut absorb the maturity of veterans Beau Belga and Gabe Norwood.

But the spotlight will be on the Hotshots.

Despite winning three of their first four games, the Hotshots still waged a recruiting coup when they shipped rotation player Aris Dionisio for former Ateneo de Manila University sniper Chris Koon, the fourth overall pick by Titan Ultra in the recent Rookie Draft.

The 24-year-old Koon appeared to be a good fit for the Giant Risers after averaging 7.6 points and 4.0 rebounds in his first five matches. However, Titan Ultra struggled with after winning only one win in its first five games, prompting it to shake up its roster and opt for an older, more seasoned player in Dionisio.

At Magnolia, Koon will be joining a very promising squad that is being guided by veterans Ian Sangalang, Paul Lee and Mark Barroca. 

In fact, in their previous 104-93 victory over Terrafirma last Saturday, young guns like Mark Barroca, Zav Lucero, Raffy Verano and Javi Gomez de Liaño made their presence felt, painting a very encouraging picture of the squad under rookie head coach LA Tenorio.

Tenorio, however, stressed that they have to expedite their development, starting with an improved defensive mentality.

“In losing and winning, we learn a lot,” said Tenorio, whose wards are looking to catch TNT and NLEX on top of the team standings.