Meralco takes on Ginebra; RoS eyes sixth win

Meraclo's Gabby Espinas with the spinmove versus Ginebra's JC Intal. Photo by Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines—The best and the worst in the PBA Philippine Cup collide even as Meralco tries to bounce back from a humiliating loss when it faces Barangay Ginebra tonight at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Running on high gear with a conference-leading 5-1 record, Rain or Shine seeks a fourth straight victory against winless Shopinas.com (0-6) at 5:15 p.m.

The Elasto Painters are heavily favored after crushing the Meralco Bolts while setting four franchise records in the process last Sunday.

The Bolts (4-3) go up against the well-rested Barangay Ginebra crew (3-2) in the nightcap at 7:30.
While the never-say-never attitude of Shopinas.com intrigues the Elasto Painters, Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said his boys will stay focused on their main objective.

“We want to take advantage of the morale and confidence that we now have,” said Guiao.

The E-Painters torched the Bolts with a franchise-record 22 three-pointers in a 139-95 win.

It was a triple short of tying the all-time high of 23, accomplished twice by Talk ‘N Text in the 2008 Fiesta Conference and 2009 Philippine Cup.

Rain Or Shine’s output and winning margin were also franchise records along with its 66.3-percent (53 of 80 shots) field-goal shooting.

“We have a couple of comfortable wins and it’s a sign of maturity for a young team like ours,” said Guiao.
Meanwhile, Ogie Menor of Shopinas.com was fined yesterday P5,000 for a flagrant penalty 1 on B-Meg’s Rico Maierhofer and P1,000 for taunting Derby Ace rookie Mark Barroca.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Menor was ejected late in the third period for his unsportsmanlike conduct in the game against B-Meg which the Llamados won, 76-65, last Wedneday.

“A lot of players have been complaining with the way Ogie plays,” said league commissioner Chito Salud.