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INSPIRED
by their breakthrough opener, Rain or Shine will be
going for a franchise record 2-0 start in the
KFC-Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine
Cup against Red Bull tonight.
The
Elasto Painters are coming off a 120-102 rout of the
Air21 Express, losing finalist in the Fiesta Cup, on
Sunday for the franchise’s first season-opener win since
joining the league in 2006.
Rain or
Shine coach Caloy Garcia said the team he has assembled
is different from those of the past seasons.
“They
showed they are capable of playing against the big
boys,” said Garcia, visibly overwhelmed by their
18-point victory that tied the franchise’s all-time
winning margin—an 82-64 romp over Barangay Ginebra
recorded on October 27, 2007, in the same conference
last year.
There is
no doubt the Elasto Painters made a good account of
their skills against the Express. But the Red Bull
challenge will be a good test of their character. Game
time is 5 p.m. at the Astrodome in Pasay City.
Although
reduced to a team of role players and rookies, the
Barakos, with coach Yeng Guiao still calling the shots,
remain a dangerous opponent.
Their
competitiveness was on display Wednesday in their 77-73
loss to the Purefoods TJ Giants, who had to summon their
championship experience to overcome the determined
Barakos.
Purefoods will also be aiming for a second win against
San Miguel, which is hoping to bounce back from a tough
85-84 defeat against Alaska also on Sunday. The
Purefoods-SMB showdown comes off at 7:30 p.m.
“It’s
going to be an exciting game because both teams love to
run,” Garcia said.
Although
saying his troops match up well with the Barakos, the
soft-spoken Garcia readily acknowledged that they have
not won a game against Red Bull since joining the league
three years ago.
“Hopefully, we could finally put an end to that streak,”
he said.
Rookie
Sol Mercado, who overshadowed top draft pick overall
Gabe Norwood by scoring 29 points—the most by a debuting
rookie in nine years—is expected to be a prime target of
Red Bull feisty defense and infuriating hustle.
Carlo
Sharma, who missed Red Bull’s season opener to serve his
one-game suspension, will be rejoining the team and his
presence will provide the Barakos some muscle it sorely
lacks. |
