Unscathed E. Painters take on Tigers today

Toughened by a series of narrow victories, Rain or Shine tries to extend its unbeaten start to five games against a Powerade squad growing in confidence today in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Elasto Painters can assure themselves of at least a playoff for a semifinal berth with a victory in the 7:30 duel with the Tigers, who are also looking to stretch their winning run to three after dropping their first two assignments.

Petron Blaze targets solo second when it battles struggling Barako Bull in the 5:15 p.m. game.

A win will allow the Boosters to move past B-Meg, which also totes a 3-1 record and won’t be playing until Saturday when it meets Air21 in Digos City.

With a 1-2 record that is good for a tie for sixth with Air21, the Energy are hard-pressed to claim a victory as the tournament format only affords nine games for each team with the top six making the semifinals.

Import Jamelle Cornley has fit in quite nicely for the Elasto Painters and his efforts have been instrumental to the franchise’s best start since joining the league five years ago.

“The ball movement is better because of him (Cornley),” said Rain or Shine gunner Jeff Chan.