IT'S halfway through a full seven-game series, and it's going to be a breakaway for TNT or an equalizer for Rain or Shine.
The Elasto Painters are back in the hunt following a skid-stopping 110-109 nail-biter Sunday at the Dasmarinas Arena in Cavite, and they're determined to make the most of it as they duke it out with the Tropang Giga in Game Four back at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday.
Tip-off is at 5 p.m.
It would have been a lot different had they got the opposite result in the PBA Governors' Cup semifinals road showcase in Cavite.
"It wouldn't be impossible but it would be tough to climb out of a 0-3 hole," said ROS import Aaron Fuller of the task they should be facing now if not for the Game Three escape act.
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But with the one-point squeaker, the Elasto Painters are within striking distance of the Tropang Giga, and they're raring pounce on the opportunity to get themselves in an even better position.
"We got ourselves back in the series, and it gives us the confidence that we can beat TNT," said ROS coach Yeng Guiao.
"Pahirapan yung laro. I think we passed the test of character, we're able to hang in there versus a strong team with a good import. We're able to survive that," Guiao added.
Improving from the first two games, the E-Painters would endeavor to improve some more.
"We wanna keep improving on what we did (Sunday). We played two good halves (in Game Three), and we're able weather the storm and come out on top," said Fuller, a big key with his 26-point, 16-rebound job after a 13-point struggle in the previous game.
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"I guess we lost the first two games because we turned the ball over a lot, giving them the opportunities to score in transition. We managed some of our turnovers, and it became a high-scoring game where our chances of winning are better," said Guiao.
For Game Four, it would also be about managing the minutes of some players, with both sides missing key players.
Caelan Tiongson, ROS' main import stopper/defender, is healing an injury while Kelly Williams and Jayson Castro are TNT veterans both with health woes.
But minus these players, it's been still a high-quality series with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Calvin Oftana, Rey Nambatac and RR Pogoy leading the charge for TNT, and Fuller drawing support from a host of ROS locals.(SB)
