Maybe tonight the slump would finally come to an end.
The ball club the once used to pace the field in the standings once again seeks to snap out its
losing streak, highly favored to do so when it tackles winless Shopinas.com in the PBA Philippine
Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The Elasto Painters have dropped their previous four assignments, and the last three have been
decided by a combined eight points. Now, they have a golden opportunity to break the drought against
a team that has yet to win but dangerous just the same.
“Our objective is simple, just break the losing streak,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
“Then we prepare for the playoffs. We can’t take Shopinas.com for granted. This is the time to
pick up our game or else our confidence can suffer irreparable damage.”
That confidence Guiao was talking about once soared in great heights. The Painters before toted a
7-1 (win-loss) mark, but saw their record slip after defeats to the league’s heavyweight ball
clubs – Petron (90-80), Talk ‘N Text (106-104), B-Meg (102-100), and finally to the
unpredictable Barako Bull (106-102).
The last time Rain or Shine won was on Nov. 11, a 93-81 decision over the Energy.
A triumph by the Painters will enable them to tie Meralco at 8-5, something that would come in very
handy indeed as they attempt to stay away from landing at seventh position after the elimination
round.
If Rain or Shine falls at seventh place, it will have a difficult task entertaining thoughts of
making the semi-finals since it will have to beat the second-ranked team twice in a row to advance.
The Clickers, on the other hand, are one defeat away from matching the all-time worst losing streak
owned by Great Taste (182 Reinforced Conference) and Country Fair (1984 Reinforced Conference).
Shopinas.com, however, isn’t expected to walk away with a victory against the Painters.
When these two teams met the first time, Rain or Shine dominated Shopinas.com. The Painters
outscored the Clickers 27-10 in the third quarter en route to a 96-75 win, a result wherein Rain or
Shine got 24 points off turnovers and 19 second-chance points. (ZM)
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