E-Painters, Batang pier press chase

Rain or Shine and NorthPort clash Wednesday in a duel of teams which have just got into the win-column and now raring to build momentum for a rally to make the PBA Governors Cup playoffs.

The Elasto Painters and the Batang Pier, outside the Top Eight with a 1-4 card and 2-6 slate, respectively, mix it up at 7 p.m. at the Cuneta Astrodome.

The E-Painters have finally nailed an elusive first win in the tourney on a 104-97 reversal of the Barangay Ginebra Kings in a road game in Lucena Saturday while the Batang Pier pumped back life on their sagging bid with backto-back triumphs over the Columbian Dyip (118-101) and the Meralco Bolts (9994).

But both still have a lot of catching up to do.

"Gagawin lang namin ang pwede naman gawin para makahabol. One game at a time. Kung hindi makaabot, ganon talaga. Naiwan kami eh," said NorthPort coach Pido Jarencio.

But with key players Stanley Pringle and Sean Anthony back in top shape, the Batang Pier are hopeful it's not too late to catch up and salvage a spot in the post-elims play.

"Stanley and Sean are back, and we're developing chemistry. We're making up for our bad start. We're sticking with positives, hoping we can catch up," said Jarencio.

Anthony erupted for 26 points, including four three-pointers, while Pringle exploded for 24, counting six treys as the Batang Pier endured Allen Durham's 37 points, 19 rebounds and seven assists for a second straight win after six successive losses.

Rashad Woods came alive after a scoreless first half, pouring in 20 in the final half while Moala Tautuaa contributed 14 markers, including nine in the fourth quarter to help NorthPort make it two in a row. —