For the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, the target is to seal playoffs entry as early as they can.
For the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, the goal is to build on the little success they've achieved.
Both off to a triumphant start in the new year, the Elasto Painters and the Fuel Masters seek to get going at each other's expense in a Saturday collision in the PBA Commissioner's Cup, 7:30 p.m. at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
"We're trying to ride on our winning run. Sa amin ang importante makarating sa next round and sa tingin namin seven wins will do that. We have five wins now and we're just looking to play and win another one, get as close to seven as soon as we can," said ROS coach Yeng Guiao.
In winning all their next five games after a losing conference start, the Elasto Painters are now knocking at the playoffs door at 5-1, second to the frontrunning NorthPort Batang Pier (7-1).
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Needless to say, the E-Painters hope to keep that position all the way to the end of the single-round-robin elims to claim a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals.
Meanwhile, the Fuel Masters are looking to sustain their climb from the cellar, eyeing a third win in their last four outings.
At the moment, coach Jamike Jarin's chargers are still outside of the Magic Eight at 2-5.
But they have committed to work harder and play better in their hope to make the post-elims phase.
Import Donovan Smith is locked-in on that goal.
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"I was a lot more vocal and that also contributed to us winning. Just holding guys accountable and having guys holding me accountable as well on both sides of the floor. I feel like the biggest reason why we won today is we played together for 48 minutes," said Smith after their 122-108 blasting of the Terrafirma Dyip Tuesday night.
Towards the end of December 2024, Phoenix broke into the win-column via a 115-109 dismantling of the previously unbeaten NorthPort squad.
And that's a good reason for the Elasto Painters not to take the Fuel Masters for granted. (SB)
