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Painters, Beermen favored

July 27, 2021 Ed Andaya 519 views

RAIN or Shine stakes the solo lead when it guns for a fourth straight win against dangerous Alaska Milk today at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

The Elasto Painters, who have won their first three games under new coach Chris Gavina, take the floor against the Aces at 3 p.m.in the second of another explosive tripleheader.

Buoyed by a convincing 85-72 win over erstwhile co-leader Meralco last Saturday, the E-Painters are looking to ad the Aces to their list of victim.

But Gavina, who was appited as head coahc of the team only last March, cautioned his boys not to get over-confident.

“When we looked at what Alaska is leading in, with regards to statistical categories, they are No. 1 in rebounding. So we have addressed that as a point of emphasis going into our game tomorrow,” said Gavina.

“We need to be able to keep Alaska off the boards so we don’t give extra possessions to them.We know they are an up-tempo team, which will bring a great deal of energy and fight into our game tomorrow.”

“So being able to match their energy with focus and execution on both ends of the floor we feel we will put ourselves in a good situation.”

Alaska coach Jeffrey Cariaso is hoping the Aces can snap out of a two-game slide.

“The focus is on how we can improve as a team. To look at the last two games and not make the same mistakes,” said Cariaso, referring to the team’s back-to-back losses against Magnolia and Phoenix.

“A big part of growth is the ability to learn and adjust while in battle. Our guys will be ready tomorrow as we know another big challenge awaits us,” added Cariaso.

In other matches, San Miguel Beer hopes to make it three wins in a row when they battle winless Blackwater in the opener at 12:30 p.m. while Phoenix Super LPG looks for a follow up its breakthrough win when it plays Meralco in the nightcap at 6 p.m.

“I hope magtuloy-tuloy na yun momentum namin. We have another game on Wednesday and after Blackwater we have two big teams, Ginebra (on Sunday) and Magnolia (on Aug. 6),” said coach Leo Austria after San Miguel’s hard-earned 88-86 win over NorthPort last Sunday.

Despite its 0-3 slate to open its season, Blackwater could still pull off a surprise.

“We can’t really focus on the outcome of our games,” said Blackwater coach Nash Racela. “We just have to continue pounding the rock and build on the little gains we are having.”

Games Wednesday:

(Ynares Sports Arena)
12:30 p.m.– San Miguel vs. Blackwater
3 p.m. — Rain or Shine vs. Alaska
6 p.m.– Phoenix vs. Meralco

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