Rain or Shine is guarding against complacency as it seeks a solo lead in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup standings against a struggling Phoenix, Wednesday, Nov. 5 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Elasto Painters are on a roll, having won their last three games after dropping their opening game but head coach Yeng Guiao was first to admit that their record could have been the opposite if they did not manage to pull off great escapes against Meralco, Titan Ultra and even Terrafirma.
ROS led by as many as 17 against Terrafirma but squandered the lead and needed a big fourth quarter push to put a break on the Dyip’s comeback bid.
That is something Guiao doesn’t want to see anymore when his wards take on the determined Phoenix side in the 7:30 p.m. affair.
“As a coach ayaw mo ng ganoon,” said Guiao, who while he gave his team an earful for the apparent lack of killer instinct, lauded his wards for their poise in the 106-91 win over teh Dyip.
“Pero ganoon ang basketball talaga. Ganoon talaga yung basketball unless super dominant ka talaga. Sinasabihan ko rin sila na any team na makalaban natin, may possibility tatalunin talaga tayo. So kahit ano pa yan. Importante ron, we do what we do best,” he added.
Despite strong showing from players like Ricci Rivero, Evan Nelle and even Jason Perkins, victory remained elusive for the Fuel Masters. After splitting their first two games, Phoenix has lost three straight games including a close 83-80 defeat against Magnolia.
Setting the table for the ROS-Phoenix clash, on the other hand, is the battle between teams in dire need to stop their free fall, Titan Ultra and Blackwater in the first offering at 5:15 p.m.
The Giant Risers are in a four-game slump while the Bossing are in a three-game losing skid and they are naturally eager to stop the bleeding.
Calvin Abueva is expected to lead the charge for the Giant Risers along side Joshua Munzon though they surely need more from the rest of the team if they are to win against the trio of Sedrick Barefield, Christian David and rookie Dalph Panopio.
