No Lenten respite for Painters
Game Sunday (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 5 p.m. – Meralco vs Rain or Shine Game Monday (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 5 p.m. – Purefoods vs Talk ’N Text
Top pick but injury-plagued Rain or Shine hardly took a Lenten break as it practiced yesterday, Maundy Thursday, in anticipation of a fight back from Meralco when the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinal playoff resumes Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Elasto Painters took the bestof-five series opener, 99-86, last Tues- day, but head coach Yeng Guiao says injuries on key players are starting to take its toll.
With outside gunner Jeff Chan still bothered by pain in his left leg, Guiao was thankful that Paul Lee stepped up with 14 points, while Chris Tiu, Jericho Ctuz and Jeric Teng combined for 24 points.
Chan, who averaged eight points a game this conference, played for only five minutes and wound up scoreless against Meralco.
“We’re still practicing despite the long break in the playoffs, but it’s important because we can still rest some of our guys, including Jeff,” said Guiao.
Chan, however, is not the only ROS dribbler hurting.
Import Wayne Chism also complained of a bruised right knee but still scored 18 points and grabbed 14 boards, outclassing counterpart Josh Davis, who struggled with 11 points on four- of12 shooting from the field.
Meralco is likewise affected by injuries with Jared Dillinger ruled out of the conference with a partial MCL tear on his left knee.
Still, the break will allow the Bolts to determine what went wrong in Game 1 against the Painters, according to Da- vis, admitting that ROS “played a great game defensively.”
Like ROS and Meralco, Purefoods is also affected by an injury and the Hotshots are a bit wary about entering Game 2 of its own best- of-five with Talk ‘N Text without its top defensive guy.
Marc Pingris sprained his left ankle in the third quarter of Purefoods’ 10094 victory over the Tropang Texters last Wednesday and head coach Tim Cone is keeping his fingers crossed that the pain subsides in time for the next game.
Pingris remains hopeful though that he will get to see action on Monday.