James Yap, Ervin Sotto and Marc Pingris, vital cogs in the Nationals’ Vietnam stint, are back to help the Paint Masters, atop the heap with a 6-1 (win-loss) slate, inch closer to the semifinals when they clash against the Blustar Detergent Kings at 4 p.m.
Against Blustar though, Welcoat is expected to have its hands full as the former is riding the crest of an inspiring 71-67 triumph over erstwhile second placer Montaña Pawnshop last Tuesday at the Letran Gym.
"It’s going to be a tough game," said Welcoat coach Leo Austria. "I just hope we can play with the same intensity before the league took a long break because of the SEA Games."
Gary David, another RP team standout, was the first to return to his mother PBL team but he could not save Montaña from bowing to a well-rested and renewed Blustar side, currently at second spot with a 5-3 card.
The 2003 Unity Cup MVP, however, can make up for that loss against red-hot Sunkist-University of Santo Tomas, whom they will face at 2 p.m.
The Tigers, however, are on a three-game roll including a 69-63 trouncing of ICTSI-La Salle two days back.
No less than Alex Compton, who is aspiring to join next year’s PBA season, is the lead man in Sunkist’s bid to improve on its 5-4 slate and, hopefully, move closer from sealing one of the four semis slots.
Interim Sunkist coach Nel Parado will have to coach again for the Tigers as the return of mentor Aric del Rosario, who steered RP to the SEAG gold via a five-game sweep, is still very doubtful.