MANILA, Philippines—Rain or Shine seeks to regain top spot Sunday when it tangles with a Meralco squad growing in confidence in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.
Gametime is at 4:15 p.m. with the Elastopainters gunning for their fifth win in six outings against the Bolts, who are riding high on a two-game winning streak.
Petron Blaze looks to snap a two-game skid when it clashes with Powerade in the 6:30 p.m. game.
The Boosters absorbed an 86-96 loss to Talk ’N Text last Friday in their first meeting since the Governors’ Cup finals.
Rain or Shine’s solid start has been one of the surprises of the season and it could be attributed to the additional firepower brought in by rookie Paul Lee.
With their 4-1 card, Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said teams are now putting more effort in preparing against them. And Meralco, with its coach Ryan Gregorio, is no exception.
“Teams are giving serious thought in preparing a lot harder against us,” said Guiao, who is wary of the Bolts who are now parading a complete roster.
“Its going to be a totally different ballgame from the first time we played them since they are not healthy. The complexion of the game changes. We have to set up defensively to have a chance at winning.”
Sol Mercado and Mac Cardona have returned to boost the Bolts, who are coming off an 81-75 victory over Alaska last Friday.
While Mercado and Cardona’s return have given the Bolts additional options on offense, Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio believes it’s still their defense that will spell the difference for them against the Elastopainters.
“It is important for us to fight toe-to-toe and stay close until the end and find ways to win,” said Gregorio.
“Our players are buying into our defensive mindset as our best weapon to down good teams. It will be the same stingy, no letup defense that we must play in order to limit the scoring.”
Chico Lanete scored 17 points to lead the Bolts against the Aces, while Cardona, back after a four-game absence, fired 10 points, including eight in the final period.
The Bolts also welcomed back Reynel Hugnatan to the lineup last Friday, but the power forward was not fielded against the Aces.
“The last time we lost against them (Rain or Shine), we had an incomplete roster,” said Gregorio. “With Sol, Mac and Reynel back, I believe we have a much better chance of matching up against them and hopefully win in the end.”