Painters try to extend win streak to four

Beau Belga: Everybody is into it. —PBA IMAGES

Rain or Shine stakes its perfect record against skidding Alaska when action in the season-opening PBA Philippine Cup resumes at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

With a 3-0 record, the Elasto Painters are tied for the lead with Magnolia, and would be looking to extend one of their finest season starts with a win over the Aces in their 3 p.m. encounter.

Beau Belga said the Elasto Painters are buying into the defensive culture being built by new coach Chris Gavina.

“Everybody’s into it—that’s the secret,” said Belga, who finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds as Rain or Shine dealt Meralco its first loss, 85-72, last week.

Gavina agrees with his veteran center, saying the players’ commitment to his system is giving the Painters the leverage to keep in step with some of the league’s title contenders, such as the Bolts.

“The great Bobby Knight said the most prepared teams are the most hardworking teams. And it coincides with our identity and who we are because we wanted to be the most hardworking team in the PBA,” he stressed.

That win over the Bolts should spur the Painters even more against an Alaska side that has been on a downswing of late.

After a rousing season start with a runaway win against Blackwater, the Aces have suddenly turned cold and lost back-to-back games against Magnolia (84-82) and Phoenix (101-93).

The twin losses pulled down Alaska in the standings, in a tie for seventh to 10th places with defending champion Barangay Ginebra, Phoenix and NorthPort, all with 1-2 cards.

The San Miguel Beer-Blackwater tiff at 12:30 kickstarts another busy day in the elimination round, with the Fuel Masters clashing with the Bolts in the 6 p.m. contest.

Blackwater, along with idle Terrafirma, remains winless and is definitely listed as the underdog against the Beermen who are trying to break in the returning June Mar Fajardo.

The six-time MVP was out for the whole of last year because of a shin injury as San Miguel battles a Bossing side that gave away its best player in the off-season.

—With reports from PBA.PH