RAIN or Shine and NLEX stake their clean slates in a mainer of a Wednesday double-header marking the swing of the PBA Governors' Cup hostilities at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
Both with 2-0 win-loss cards, the Elasto Painters and the Road Warriors part ways at 7:30 p.m. in an exciting match in Group B, also featuring San Miguel Beer, Barangay Ginebra, Phoenix Super LPG and Blackwater.
Each side started their quest for a Top 4 spot with back-to-back wins. The Elasto Painters drubbed the Bossing, 110-97, and trumped the Gin Kings, 73-64, while the Road Warriors blew past the Bossing, 104-87, then rolled past the Fuel Masters, 100-95.
Needless to say, both teams are in high spirits, though, wary of one another.
Both teams know each other well, with coach Yeng Guiao facing his old squad now under a new bench chieftain in Jong Uichico.
Sponsored content:
From one semifinal finish last season, Rain or Shine is looking for a bigger breakthrough from a lineup with youth exuberance from the likes of Fil-Swedish rookie Felix Lemetti, Andrei Caracut, Gian Mamuyac, Keith Datu, Jhonard Clarito, Anton Asistio, Leonard Santillan, Shaun Ildefonso and Adrian Nocum.
Then there's the leadership of import Aaron Fuller, Beau Belga and Gabe Norwood.
NLEX can't be taken for grated with its own solid roster led by import Myke Henry and do-it-all guard Robert Bolick.
After a 17-point blowout of Blackwater, NLEX came out strong versus Phoenix Sunday but had to check a sputtering finish to pull through.
Uichico saw silver lining on that near slip.
Sponsored content:
"If there's anything good that happened, it's (NLEX) overcoming adversity, not giving up and still maintaining our discipline, composure and intensity in the last minutes of the game," said Uichico.
With Bolick held down, Henry took over and unloaded a vital three-point play and three converted free throws in the last 2:21 to restore order. Robbie Herndon helped their import in dealing the final blow, hitting a dagger trey that gave NLEX a 99-95 cushion going to the final 19.5 seconds.
"That's why they brought me here - to carry the offense when needed and we needed it today," said Henry, who also grabbed nine boards. "But give credit to the coaches and my teammates for trusting me to make the right plays."(SB)
