By REYNALD MAGALLON
It’s a battle for survival as Rain or Shine and NLEX dispute the eighth and final quarterfinal seat in their do-or-die playoff match in the 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the PhilSports Arena on Sunday, Dec. 4.
Both sporting identical 5-7 records at the end of the eliminations, the Road Warriors and the Elasto Painters battle one last time at 5:30 p.m. with the winner getting the right to advance to the next round and face the twice-to-beat and top seed Bay Area Dragons.
NLEX though has the benefit of a three-day rest after wrapping up the eliminations against Meralco last Wednesday while Rain or Shine has to quickly lick its wounds after collapsing against Magnolia – a game that could have given it an outright spot to the next round just last Friday.
The Elasto Painters actually had control of the game in the first three quarters only to collapse in the final frame against the much-experienced Hotshots. Leonard Santillan and Rey Nambatac were at the front of that gallant stand from Rain or Shine and are still expected to lead the way for their team against NLEX.
Young guns Gian Mamuyac, Anton Asistio, Mike Nieto and Andrei Caracut along with veterans Jewel Ponferrada and Gabe Norwood are also expected to get share of the load especially with the absence of burly center Beau Belga due to a calf strain.
Head coach Yeng Guiao will also have to get more from his import Ryan Pearson who only finished with 14 points especially going up against NLEX’s high scoring import Earl Clark who has spearheaded his team’s two-game winning streak to close out the eliminations.
Another interesting storyline is the second meeting between Guiao and the Road Warriors after they parted way before the start of the conference. The fiery mentor though refuses to dwell on his past with NLEX and would rather take the knockout match just like any other ordinary game.
The Road Warriors familiarity to Guiao’s system actually worked to their favor during their elimination meeting as Kevin Alas, Justin Chua and Don Trollano led the way for NLEX in their 96-90 win over Rain or Shine.
A lot however has changed since then with Rain or Shine still having Steve Taylor Jr. as its import during that time and head coach Frankie Lim was still not calling the shots for NLEX in that game.
