RAIN OR SHINE goes for an automatic semifinal seat as it battles Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on Sunday in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Winner of their last six games, the Elasto Painters hope to cap their amazing elimination-round run with a victory in their 5:15 p.m. encounter with the Kings, who are also in a must-win situation to finish in the Top 6 and carry a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinal stage.
NLEX, meanwhile, tries to end its elimination-round campaign with a victory against newcomer Kia at 3 p.m. to carry some momentum in the next phase where the Road Warriors would need to win two in a row against their still to be determined and seeded quarterfinal foe.
Behind the sizzling performance of rookie Jericho Cruz, Rain or Shine stretched its winning streak to six games with a come-from-behind 98-95 triumph over Alaska on Friday.
The win gave the Elasto Painters a solid chance for the automatic semifinals slot.
“We’re not there [top 2] yet but we have greater motivation to win on Sunday,” said Rain or Shine Head Coach Yeng Guiao, referring to their wild victory over the Aces.
Cruz, picked No. 9 overall by his team, played his best game yet with 16 points on 6-of-7 field-goal shooting. He scored the last four points for the Elasto Painters to pull the rug from under Alaska.
The Elasto Painters are now tied with San Miguel Beer on top of the standings with an 8-2 win-loss record.
Rain or Shine expects a tough challenge from Ginebra, which is also coming off a victory against Alaska, 101-92, to stay in the hunt for the bonus in the quarterfinals.
The Kings hold a 6-4 slate and need to prevail to secure a twice-to-beat advantage.
“Our backs are against the wall. We are fighting to secure a spot in the Top 6. Rain or Shine is a very scary team. But we will play the way we want the game to be,” Ginebra Head Coach Jeffrey Cariaso said.
LA Tenorio ended a personal scoring slump with 20 points against the Aces and his production will be needed against Rain or Shine.
“LA is running our offense even with us losing three in a row,” Cariaso said. “He’s not worried of not getting too many shots. He has handled the last few games very well.”
Sorento, on the other hand, will try to exit in style as they eye their second win against NLEX and snap a nine-game losing streak.
Since winning its opening game against Blackwater, 80-66, last October 19, Kia dropped all of its nine assignments, the last at the hands of Meralco,93-99, where playing-coach Manny Pacquiao had his first start in the PBA.