Solo leader RoS battles Phoenix tonight
RAIN or Shine aims to keep its hold of the No. 1 spot when it faces a struggling Phoenix squad in Season 43 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup today at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Elasto Painters, now already assured of a quarterfinals berth with 7-1 win-loss record, will shoot for a fifth straight win vs the Fuel Masters at 4:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, last year’s finalists TNT KaTropa and defending champion San Miguel Beer collide in the 7 p.m. second game.
“We’re focused on trying to limit their shooters (Matthew) Wright and Jeff Chan. They have Eugene Phelps which creates match up problems too,” said Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia via text message to The Manila Times.
“They need to win to keep their hopes alive for the quarters that’s why we are expecting them to come out strong.”
Burly import Reggie Johnson, who is averaging 23.7 points, 17.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.5 blocks in eight games, is looking forward to meet Wright, his former teammate in the Westports Malaysia Dragons that won the Asean Basketball League 2015 to 2016 season.
“Phoenix will definitely be tough.
It is going to be a good game for me because Matthew Wright is my exteammate so I’m going to be definitely energized in that game,” said Johnson, adding that Rain or Shine wants no less than the crown.
“Work is still to be done but we are aiming for the top two and I go for the championship man. I’m not afraid to say it. I know you guys love San Miguel Beer and Ginebra but my favorite team is Rain or Shine,” added Johnson.
The Fuel Masters, with a 3-5 win-loss record, and under the tutelage of coach Louie Alas are hoping to end a threegame slide.
“My concern is our mindset in how we approach this game especially now that our remaining games are vs the No. 1 teams like Alaska (6-1) and Rain or Shine. GlobalPort, although not on top, is also a tough team. But our fate in this conference remains on our hands. We just have to believe and be consistent of what we’re doing,” said Phoenix coach Louie Alas.
The No. 3 TNT with 6-2 win-loss record, is bracing for a tough match against the defending champion.
“We need to focus on San Miguel Beer, which makes doubly hard to play because they are coming from a loss also but that’s a challenge for both teams,” said TNT coach Nash Racela, who expects import Joshua Smith to bounce back from a quiet performance of 12 points and 11 rebounds in that tough 89-111 loss to Magnolia last Wednesday.
“It’s another game and no matter who we play, we have to show up,” said Smith.
“It’s a regular season game and we are not playing them in the finals or in the playoffs. No matter what happens, we still have two games left and let’s see. We have no choice and we don’t want to lose.”
The Beermen (3-4) are coming from a disappointing 94-98 loss to GlobalPort last Wednesday when they face the KaTropa.
San Miguel Beer will be playing without the towering rookie Christian Standhardinger who’s nursing a swollen knee.