THE past and the present teams of coach Yeng Guiao clash as NLEX Road Warriors and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters dispute the eighth and last quarterfinal round berth in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Game time is 6:30 p.m. with the winner of the NLEX-Rain or Shine encounter earninf the right to meet No 1 seed Bay Area Dragons in the eight-team quarterfinals.

Both teams finished with identical 5-7 win-loss records at the end of the single-round elimination with the Road Warriors of coach Frankie Lim winning their last two assignments against Barangay Ginebra (120-117) and Meralco(92-81) ) and the Elasto Painters of Guiao dropping their final outing against the Magnolia Hotshots, (106-90).

This will be the second meeting between the two teams as NLEX defeated Rain or Shine, 96-90, last Sept. 23.

NLEX was handled by assistant coach Adonis Tierra during the victory over Rainor Shine, as Lim has yet to settle down in his new role.

Now, they meet again with Lim now calling the shots for the Road Warriors and Guiao guiding the Elasto Painters anew.

“They’re playing well, at least better now,” said Guiao in an interview posted at the official PBA website.

“Maybe they’re getting their rhythm and getting used to a new system. So it’s going to be a big challenge. Plus, yung import nila, maayos naman eh. High-scoring import.”

Guiao was referring to NLEX import Earl Clark, who averages 31.9 points on 53-percent shooting, 15.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 2.4 blocks, and 1.4 steals.

“I think the key is really trying to manage or contain the scoring of their import,” explained Guiao.

Takng the first seven slots in the quarterfinals are Bay Area, Magnolia, Barangay Ginebra, Converge, San Miguel Beer, NorthPort and Phoenix Super LPG.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Robert Andaya