JUGGLING assignments in three leagues, Eastern is back in the country facing a tough schedule of three games in a week, starting with a face-off with Rain or Shine Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Hong Kong-based squad is targeting a third straight win in the PBA Commissioner's Cup, following earlier victories over the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, 102-87, and the Converge FiberXers, 117-106.
Going to the 7:30 p.m. tiff with the Elasto Painters, coach Mensur Bajramovic and the bulk of his team are coming from a game in the Hong Kong A1 Division Championship. And that's aside from their grind in the East Asia Super League.
In their return to Manila, Eastern slugs it out with Rain or Shine to kick off a hell of a week where it is also to face TNT Friday then Blackwater Tuesday.
Making things light, good and enjoyable for the PBA guest team is the fact that it is winning games.
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The Eastern guys are riding the momentum of a hot streak as they tangle with coach Yeng Guiao's chargers who are off to a losing start in the PBA midseason tourney.
But things would be different for the Elasto Painters as import Deon Thompson should now be cleared to suit up with the team.
In their conference debut versus the Meralco Bolts Sunday at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo, Thompson was confined on the sideline as he'd yet to secure the necessary work permit in the country.
It became an all-Filipino duel with Meralco's Akil Mitchell suffering a busted nose merely 12 seconds into the game. Coach Luigi Trillo opted not to play Mitchell anymore but they still came out triumphant with a 121-111 decision.
The Elasto Painters now eye a quick turnaround hoping to draw the needed lift from Thompson, a winner with championships in the US NCAA and in various leagues around the world.(SB)
