E-Painters take on skidding Beermen Friday

Deadlocked for second spot heading into the most crucial phase of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup’s elimination round, Rain or Shine and Meralco battle separate foes today seeking to enhance their twice-to-beat chances in the first round of the playoffs.

The Bolts, who opened up with five straight wins but are reeling from two straight defeats ever since, take the Smart Araneta Coliseum floor first at 4:15 p.m. against a Barako Bull side trying to firm up its own playoff drive.

Rain or Shine tries to extend a three-game winning streak and deal the death blow on reigning Philippine Cup champion San Miguel Beer in the nightcap at 7, with the game marking the first time Arizona Reid will be facing his former Elasto Painter teammates.

With 5-2 cards, the Painters and the Bolts can catch idle frontrunning Talk ‘N Text with a win tonight, making the race for the top two all the more interesting going into the final two weeks of the round.

After missing the All-Star Game in Palawan to allow an injured left ankle to heal, reigning MVP June Mar Fajardo will again be at the forefront of the San Miguel game on both ends with Reid as the first offensive option.

Reid was given a release by the Rain or Shine management and took the place of the ineffective Ronald Roberts in the roster. Reid is the smallest import in the lot at a shade under 6 feet 5.

Wayne Chism, in his second tour of duty with the Elasto Painters, is undefeated in three games. The versatility he provides with his size and uncanny speed are the main defensive concern of San Miguel coach Leo Austria.

Chism can create a lot of match-up problems as he can easily outrun a local as big as he is and post up an import as small as Reid.

Like San Miguel, Rain or Shine also has a very talented local roster led by former Rookie of the Year and team leader Paul Lee.

The Beermen are expected to draw a lot of firepower from Arwind Santos, Marcio Lassiter, Chris Lutz and Alex Cabagnot.