Games today:
(Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
5 p.m. — TNT vs Converge
7:30 p.m. — Phoenix vs Rain or Shine
Red-hot Rain or Shine eyes to secure a Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals seat as early as possible.
With the Elasto Painters’ current situation, head coach Yeng Guiao estimates that seven wins will assure them of a ticket into the next round.
His squad now has five, all taken consecutively.
Rain or Shine looks to grab victory no. 6 against a reenergized Phoenix today at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
“We’re trying to ride on our winning run. What is important for us is to advance into the next round,” Guiao said heading into the Elasto Painters’ 7:30 p.m. encounter with the Fuel Masters.
Rain or Shine is on a five-game winning roll since dropping its mid-season conference opener top knock on the quarters door just behind league-leading NorthPort (7-1).
The Elasto Painters blew out Blackwater, 122-106, behind Deon Marshal Thompson’s double-double of 25 points and 16 rebounds backed by solid outings from Santi Santillan, Adrian Nocum, Anton Asistio and Caelan Tiongson, who left the game midway through the third canto after spraining his left ankle.
“We feel that seven wins will assure you of a slot in the next round. We have five wins now. We’re just looking to play and win another one to get us close to seven (wins) as early as we can,” Guiao said.
Phoenix, on the other hand, has regained its confidence after getting back in the win column following a masterful 122-108 triumph over Terrafirma last Tuesday.
Although still outside of the top eight holding a 2-5 slate, Fuel Masters head coach Jamike Jarin remains confident they can turn things around.
“There’s still a lot of games to play. We can’t do anything about the past games, we just have to learn from them. Now, the most important game for us is the game against Rain or Shine,” he said.
Jarin will lean on Donovan Smith, Jason Perkins, Ricci Rivero, Kai Ballungay and Tyler Tio to string their first back-to-back wins in the tournament.
Meanwhile, TNT and Converge lay their winning streaks on the line in their 5 p.m. clash.
The Tropang Giga brushed off their holiday rust after escaping Meralco, 101-99, last Wednesday to start the year with a three-game romp for a 3-2 slate.
TNT coach Chot Reyes is just relieved to finally have Kelly Williams back in uniform for the first time in the conference for additional help on the defensive end against the FiberXers, who are on a four-game roll fashioning a 6-2 mark.
“We’ll definitely need him against Converge,” Reyes said.
For Reyes, Converge, led by import Cheick Diallo, Jordan Heading, Alec Stockton and big men Justin Arana and rookie Justine Baltazar, is a handful. MARK ESCARLOTE
“They have three really good guards in Schonny (Winston), Heading and Stockton. They are a complete team, they have those wings in (Kevin) Racal and even Mike Nieto. Their big man lineup with Balti and Arana (will be a problem) and they have an import that they love playing with who fits their game perfectly. Complete, very deep and well-balanced team. Like I said we have our work cut out for us,” he said.
The FiberXers defeated the Bolts on Christmas Day, 110-94.
But like Reyes, Converge acting coach Franco Atienza is also wary of what he will face up against.
TNT is still a veteran team with a stacked roster headed by workhorse reinforcement Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Calvin Oftana, RR Pogoy, Rey Nambatac, Poy Erram and the seasoned stars Jayson Castro and Williams.
“So it will be a good test for us,” Atienza said.
“We look forward to that TNT game, hoping to at least start the year right, kick off our stretch run on a good note, and hopefully, get a strong finish that we’ll carry over into the playoffs.”