By REYNALD MAGALLON
Streaking teams Rain or Shine and Magnolia hope to move further up in the standings against foes that are now on a losing streak after a promising start in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Wednesday, April 17.
The Elasto Painters tangle against the NorthPort Batang Pier in the first offering at 4:30 p.m. while the Hotshots battle the free-falling Blackwater Bossing in the main event at 7:30 p.m.
Both NorthPort and Blackwater were the biggest surprises in the all-Filipino conference after occupying the upper half of the standings early in the eliminations but had since slowed down and suffered defeats in succession.
The Batang Pier are in the middle of a two-game losing skid while the Bossing have dug themselves to an even bigger hole after getting caught into a four-game slide.
NorthPort is now at the fifth spot from third last week with a 4-3 record while Blackwater got bumped out of the upper half of the standings to ninth with a 3-4 slate.
In contrast, Rain or Shine and Magnolia have been on the rise – all thanks to the reinvigorated performances from their veteran big men – after a slow start to their respective campaigns.
The Elasto Painters are now the second hottest team in the league with four straight victories just behind the still undefeated San Miguel Beermen. Rain or Shine has also recovered from a 0-4 start and is currently climbing in the middle of the standings with an even 4-4 record.
A huge reason for that is the improved play of veteran center Beau Belga who has been providing the perfect complement to the head coach Yeng Guiao’s young guns in the likes of Santi Santillan, Andrei Caracut and Jhonard Clarito.
Belga is averaging 21.5 points, 9.2 rebounds and 6.2 assists through the last four wins of the team – a huge improvement to his 11.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists in his team’s first four losses.
Likewise, veteran big man Ian Sangalang has been leading the way for Magnolia which now has strung together its first win streak of the season to improve to a 3-2 record.
Sangalang saw a revitalized play for Magnolia this conference, highlighted by 32-point, 13-rebound and 23-point, nine-rebound performances in the team’slast two games.
His improved play gives a boost to the Hotshots who have relied heavily to their backcourt of Mark Barroca, Paul Lee and Jio Jalalon in providing the offensive firepower.
