E-Painters press final drive versus Boosters

MANILA, Philippines - Rain or Shine resumes its bid for a first final appearance, hoping to sustain the momentum of its elimination-round romp as it takes on Petron Blaze at the start of the semifinals of the PBA Governors Cup at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo tonight.

Barangay Ginebra and Meralco mix it up in the day’s other game with both, like Petron Blaze and Talk n Text, needing a victory to catch up with the pacesetters under the carry-over format of the season-ending tourney.

In a bid to recover lost grounds and salvage a return stint to the finals, the Boosters have enlisted Marcus Vondell Faison to take over from the injury-stricken Eddie Basden.

Coach Ato Agustin hopes to draw the best from the former Siena College standout as they battle the rampaging Elasto Painters at 7:30 p.m.

The elimination-round topnotchers with an 8-1 win-loss record, the Elasto Painters are determined to go all the way to the finals.

“We’re out to prove that this team’s time has come. We’re putting those challenges in front of us. We’ll offer no excuses,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.

By Guiao’s own estimate, the Elasto Painters can gain their first-ever finals appearance with just two wins in five games in the semis.

“We’re hoping two more wins would be enough to bring us to the finals. But we’re not looking to win just two more games. We look to win as many games as we can to toughen us up, and reinforce and fortify our system and confidence,” said Guiao.

“We’ll play scared. We’ll play like we need to win every game. That’s the attitude we like to ingrain in our minds,” Guiao added.

B-Meg is Rain or Shine’s closest pursuer at 6-3. A game behind are Talk n Text, Petron and Ginebra at 5-4 with Meralco at the tail end at 4-5.

“We’re all bunched closely together behind Rain or Shine. It’s important to have a good start for the mental edge and momentum,” said Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen.

“The journey to the finals is going to get more difficult. With the most inferior standing among the qualifiers, we are aiming for no less than a 4-of-5 incentive to get to the finals,” said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio. “We were walloped by Ginebra by 27 points in our first meeting, but Mario West was not yet on-board. With our newfound strength anchored on defense, I am sure we will fare better,” Gregorio also said.

The Bolts are playing a second straight game after surviving a sudden-death duel with the Powerade Tigers for the last semis spot Wednesday.

NOTES: NLEX Fil-Am players Cliff Hodge and Chris Ellis have submitted their applications for the coming PBA Rookie Draft. Failing to make the Phl team in the ongoing SEABA championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, the two said they’re still hoping to don the national colors in the future. They saw action for the Phl team in the 2011 SEA Games in Jakarta, Indonesia.