RAIN OR SHINE tries to extend its perfect record and inch closer to securing a twice-to-beat incentive when it battles Phoenix in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup on Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Elasto Painters are fresh off a weeklong respite. They stake their 7-0 record against the Fuel Masters in their 7:30 p.m. encounter.
Phoenix enters the game carrying a 4-3 record at sixth spot.
The 5:15 p.m. opening game features Titan Ultra (1-6) and foreign squad Macau (0-7), two teams facing possible elimination.
ROS has been playing excellent basketball, with coach Yeng Guiao drawing the best from his young core through the team’s first seven games.
Import Jaylen Johnson is already fitting in well with the locals, providing the inside presence, outside shooting as well.
Andrei Caracut, Gian Mamuyac, Jhon Clarito, Caelan Tiongson and Adrian Nocum are expected to push the basketball against a Phoenix side that’s still within striking distance with the leaders in the standings.
As for the Giant Risers, winning must start soon of they hope to keep their playoff bid alive.
“We still have a chance. And while we still have a chance at making it (playoffs), no matter how hard, we will keep trying,” said Titan Ultra coach Renzy Bajar in Filipino.
The foreign guest team’s chances of making the playoffs are
slim, with another loss, basically ending their hopes of advancing to the next round.
Titan Ultra’s own road to the playoffs is tough since after Macau, Bajar’s next opponents include Magnolia, Barangay Ginebra, NLEX and Rain or Shine.