E-Painters seek solo lead vs Energy

MANILA, Philippines - Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao drew a total fine of P34,600 yesterday on the eve of the Elasto Painters’ quest for the solo lead in the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations.

Guiao was fined P30,000 by PBA commissioner Chito Salud for flagrant misconduct in the Painters’ 96-75 disposal of Shopinas.com last Friday, and another P4,600 for accumulating his fifth technical foul in the conference.

The temperamental mentor was sanctioned for elbowing Clickers’ enforcer Ogie Menor who was taunting the RoS bench after making a basket, leading to Guiao’s ejection halfway through that match.

After yielding the coaching chores to assistant Caloy Garcia, Guiao gets back to the bench tonight as the Painters gun for their fifth straight win and the solo lead against Barako Bull at the Cuneta Astrodome.

At 6-1, RoS is virtually assured of its spot in the quarterfinals, but Guiao cautioned his charges against complacency.

“The team is playing well and the players are cooperative, their morale high. But they mustn’t be complacent,” said Guiao.

The third-running Barako Energy (5-2) are coming off a 117-87 rout of Powerade last Sunday and could force a two-way tie for second with RoS with a victory in the 7:30 p.m. game.

In the other game, the Meralco Bolts (5-3) shoot for their sixth victory in the 5:15 p.m. opener against the B-Meg Llamados (3-4), looking for a repeat of their 84-78 win last Oct. 15.

But the Llamados are fresh from a 76-65 victory over the Clickers and their target is to give coach Tim Cone his first streak with the team.

Meanwhile, Talk n Text veteran center-forward Ali Peek, who was shot by an unidentified gunman last Monday after a plyometric training session, posted a message on Twitter Friday night after the Texters drubbed Ginebra, 86-71.

“U guys prayed for me pls pray for ryan reyes! Good job guys on the win=),” the 6-4 Peek twitted.

Reyes hurt his left knee that game but was later diagnosed with MCL, an injury that won’t require surgery.

TnT is undergoing personnel woes as Aaron Aban suffered from ACL and is set to go under the knife. The Texters are looking to sign up Bambam Gamalinda to address the issue.