RAIN or Shine and NLEX clash Tuesday with each hoping the adjustments they made would be enough to help their respective bid in the PBA Governors' Cup quarterfinals at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Already practically assured of a quarterfinals ticket due to a 5-2 record in Group B the Elasto Painters still want wins in their last three eliminations games to at least stay at No. 2 in the bracket and avoid an early collision with a top two team from the other group in the last eight.
The Road Warriors are in an even more precarious position after dropping their last three games that relegated them to a 3-4 slate.
Game time is 5:15 p.m.
As things stand, coach Jong Uichico's charges need to sweep their last three games to hold off the challenge of 3-5 Blackwater and 1-7 Phoenix Super LPG and at least remain at No. 4 in Group B.
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"We will try to do the best we can. Tight 'yung race namin sa last spot to enter, very tight. Kaya next three games namin very crucial talaga," said Uichico.
"We'll just try to win as many as we can," added Uichico. "One game at a time, but the mindset is the same for us, which is to try and pull off wins just to get into the next round."
The Road Warriors have replaced original import Myke Henry with DeQuan Jones to bolster their chances. Henry averaged 25.85 points and 8.14 rebounds in the seven games he played in, but the decision was still made to bring in Jones, a former Orlando Magic.
"We just wanted a little bit more," explained Uichico. "Siyempre if you're not doing well then you try to find solutions para ma-improve 'yung team."
Rain or Shine has its own tinkering to do following a deflating 102-124 beatdown from Barangay Ginebra last Friday, and it's mostly mental, according to coach Yeng Guiao.
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"If you lose by 20-plus points... I think 'yun 'yung puwedeng mag-dampen ng spirit mo or magbaba ng morale mo. We just need to be careful how to treat 'yung loss na 'to," stated Guiao after the Kings game.
"We have to find ways to keep our momentum going and look for something positive that we can take out of this loss," added Guiao.
The E-Painters handily beat the Road Warriors, 124-105, the first time they met and Uichico hopes the strategy he and his staff have devised would be enough to blunt the former's double-edged attack.
"Rain or Shine is very capable of racking up points in transition and at the same time... they can play both ends of the court, not only are they an offensive team but also a defensive team. They take you out of rhythm," said Uichico.
"So iyon mainly ang pinaghahandaan namin, how we react to that kind of defense that Rain or Shine will show."(NC)
