Yeng Guiao’s second meeting with his former team marks the PBA’s return from a short break on March 17 with the opening of the first of two import-laden conferences known as the Commissioner’s Cup.
Guiao’s NLEX Road Warriors battle the defending champion Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, the team he led to two championships, in the main event of the traditional doubleheader at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with both teams looking to improve on their disappointing performances in the Philippine Cup.
The Mahindra Floodbuster and Meralco Bolts, teams that failed to make the playoffs of the first conference, clash in the 4:15 p.m. match that will serve as an appetizer to the 7 p.m. NLEX-Rain or Shine contest.
NLEX failed to make the playoffs in Guiao’s first conference since leaving Rain or Shine in the offseason by posting a league-worst 2-9 record.
Rain or Shine posted a 5-6 record under Caloy Garcia and nearly missed the playoffs after losing its final four games in the eliminations. The Elasto Painters beat the Blackwater Elite in a do-or-die match to clinch the No. 8 seed in the quarters where they lost to the eventual champion San Miguel Beermen.
The Road Warriors are bringing in Wayne Chism as import – a player familiar to Guiao. Chism played twice for Guiao during Rain or Shine’s finals loss to Talk ‘N Text in the 2015 Commissioner’s Cup and a brief stint in last year’s version of the midseason conference.
Rain or Shine is going with former Globalport reinforcement Shawn Taggart in its quest to defend the Commissioner’s Cup title.
Phoenix battles Blackwater and Alaska takes on Globalport on the following day – March 18 – at the Cuneta Astrodome, before Rain or Shine meets Mahindra and Meralco playing NLEX on March 19 at the Big Dome.
San Miguel and losing Philippine Cup finalist Barangay Ginebra San Miguel are expected to make their debuts at least a week after the Commissioner’s Cup opener to give them enough rest following the just-concluded championship series won by the Beermen in five games.
