E-Painters collide with Bolts

Rain or Shine and streaking Meralco clash for solo second place today in the PBA Governors’ Cup at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

The defending champion  Elasto Painters and the Bolts slug it out in the 5:15 p.m. game even as Talk ‘N Text welcomes back its fourth National team hero in Jimmy Alapag when it clashes with Alaska at 7:30 p.m.

Rain or Shine and Meralco share second with idle Barako Bull at 3-2 after the Painters snapped a two-game slide a few nights back and the Bolts went on a two-game win streak. The three stood a game behind leader Petron Blaze.

Every win is crucial at this stage of the elimination round since the top four teams will earn twice-to-beat bonuses over the bottom four in the first round of the playoffs.

Rain or Shine triumphed last season with Jamelle Cornley and his replacement, Arizona Reed, has shone as one of the most explosive reinforcements thus far.

National players Jeff Chan and Gabe Norwood and a battery of unheralded workhorses would have to step up for the Painters to offset the high-energy Bolts, who will be led by import Mario West and Mac Cardona.

Former MVP Alapag, who missed the Texters’ first four games, gets going after putting in just three days of practice since arriving Tuesday from the United States.

“This is a big game for us since the winner will move to the upper half of the standings,” said Talk ‘N Text coach Norman Black. “We know Alaska is one of the best teams in the league, so this will be a tough one.”