Rain or Shine stakes its hot run and the chance to solidify its hold of the top spot when it takes on another playoff contender in NLEX in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, Saturday, Nov. 8.
The pacesetting Elasto Painters are currently ahead of the pack with a 5-1 record and they can inch closer to a playoff berth with a victory against the Road Warriors in their 7:30 p.m. showdown.
Raising the curtain to the exciting duel is an equally intriguing clash between Blackwater and Converge in the first offering at 5:15 p.m.
The challenge for Rain or Shine, however, is to sustain its run despite a depleted lineup that took another blow after big man Keith Datu sustained a ruptured patellar tendon injury on his right knee.
Although head coach Yeng Guiao lauded his team’s resilience, he admitted that the team had to dig deep with Stanley Pringle and Caelan Tiongson still a game-time decision heading into the contest.
“Kulang talaga sa bigs. We’re struggling but we’re still here,” said Guiao whose ROS are currently on a four-game winning run.
“We’re getting used to finding ways to win but I would rather win yung medyo maluwag-luwag,” he added.
Though there is some optimism about Tiongson finally playing, much of the load still falls on the shoulders of Leonard Santillan and Gabe Norwood to man the paint especially with Beau Belga still in minute restriction.
The guards, Anton Asistio, Andrei Caracut, Gian Mamuyac and Adrian Nocum will surely be challenged especially defensively against the high-scoring guard Robert Bolick, who has been eager to power NLEX to the playoffs.
At 4-2, it remains very much within reach for Bolick and the Road Warriors although they need to get back on the winning track after a 104-74 setback at the hands of Barangay Ginebra.
Bolick is expected to be joined by young guns Jonnel Policarpio, JB Bahio and Xyrus Torres in leading the charge alongside veterans Kevin Alas and Javee Mocon.
Meanwhile in the opening game, after testing their mettle against defending champion San Miguel, Converge is seeking a huge rebound game against Blackwater.
But the Bossing are surely no pushovers as they are also determined to finally stop the bleeding following another tough 97-86 loss against Titan Ultra.
