Fuel Masters shoot for seventh win vs Painters

PHOENIX intensifies its bid to secure one of the four quarterfinal slots as it battles Rain or Shine in the Philippine Basketball Association Season 43 Governors’ Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

After losing to San Miguel Beer ( 100- 117) last October 12, the Fuel Masters ( 6- 3 win- loss record) try to break from a tie with Blackwater ( 6- 3) at fifth to fourth place in their 4: 30 p. m. encounter with the Elasto Paint Masters.

Phoenix under coach Louie Alas is expecting the Elasto Painters to play rough and tough after losing their last two remaining games. Despite holding a 2- 6 winloss record, Rain or Shine is determined to win all three remaining games to keep its playoff hopes alive.

Rain or Shine is currently at 10th spot and a third straight loss will push them to the brink of elimination.

In other development, center Raymond Almazan, the Rain or Shine management and , coach Caloy Garcia finally settled their differences in a meeting on Monday.

But the ex-Letran Knight center will not be playing for Rain or Shine’s last three-games in the elimination round. He is expected to join the team’s practices in November for next season’s preparation.

Almazan had gone AWOL (Absent Without Official Leave) after skipping practices and games since two weeks ago.

San Miguel Beer, meanwhile, seeks to sustain its three- game winning run when it faces Northport in the second game at 7 p. m.

Coming from a 107- 96 win over TNT KaTropa in Calasiao, Pangasinan last Saturday behind import Kevin Murphy’s late game heroics, the Beermen ( 4- 4) are hoping to make it one game closer of making it to the eight- team quarterfinal round by winning over the Batang Pier.

Austria added that he’s expecting the Batang Pier ( 2- 7) to play in “full potential” at their last two games.

JOSEF T. RAMOS