The embattled Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and the rejuvenated Blackwater Elite dispute the eighth and final playoff spot as the PBA Philippine Cup returns tonight at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
At stake in the do-or-die playoff set at 7 p.m. will arrange a quarterfinal duel with the defending champion San Miguel Beermen, who won 10 of 11 games in the elimination round and armed with a twice-to-beat advantage.
Rain or Shine fell into this predicament after losing its last four games following a 5-2 start, allowing Blackwater to get one last opportunity at snatching a place in the playoffs of the season-opening conference.
The woes of the Elasto Painters continued last Wednesday when they blew a seven-point fourth quarter lead in the 94-89 defeat to the Alaska Aces at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Rain or Shine’s performance in the homestretch of the eliminations has prompted coach Caloy Garcia to rue his team’s selfish ways, but even the players admit that they are dumbfounded with the situation.
“Everybody’s disappointed, but we’ll just try to figure out what’s happening to our team,” said Jericho Cruz. “I’ve been in the PBA for three years, but this is the first time that we lost four straight. We’re still learning. Siguro makukuha din namin ito in God’s time.”
The Elasto Painters have never lost four straight in the eliminations since their breakthrough championship in the 2012 Governors’ Cup, although they were swept by Talk ‘N Text in the best-of-seven series for the 2013 Philippine Cup crown.
Cruz is hoping that a victory over Blackwater, which Rain or Shine has never lost since the Elite’s pro entry in 2014, would revive the team’s old habits of playing sharp like in the days of former coach Yeng Guiao, who left the Painters in the offseason to handle the NLEX Road Warriors.
“Siguro we just got to trust coach’s system,” Cruz said. “We can’t be complacent at any given time. We just follow what coach has been telling us. If we win against Blackwater, we’re hoping na yung momentum namin, babalik sa first five games namin.”
Blackwater, on the other hand, is eager to make most of the second chance after two straight losses at the expense of Star and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel put them on the brink of an early exit.
The Elite have been impressive this conference thanks to the performance of rookie Mac Belo of the Gilas Pilipinas pool. Guard Roi Sumang has also come out of his shell to give coach Leo Isaac the needed contributors.
However, all of these will be put to naught if Blackwater fails to come away victorious over Rain or Shine.