Bolts stake clean record vs Painters; Aces, Batang Pier collide

Games Tuesday (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

4:15 p.m. – Meralco vs Rain or Shine

7 p.m. – Globalport vs Alaska

MANILA, Philippines – The Meralco Bolts brace for an acid test as they stake their unbeaten run and share of the lead in going up against perennial conqueror the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Tuesday night.

“Things don’t get easier for us specially as we’re up against Rain or Shine next,” said Meralco coach Norman Black of the team that walloped the Bolts by a whopping average margin of 23.5 points in their last two meetings.

Rain or Shine actually shoots for a fifth straight win and eighth in nine head-on matches as the E-Painters and the Bolts clash at 4:15 p.m.

Alaska Milk seeks a second straight win while Globalport tries to check a two-game losing skid as they slug it out in the other game at 7 p.m.

“Everything will be about our ability to handle their pace. We must get back and slow down their transition plays. Also our post defense against (Rick) Jackson and perimeter defense versus Paul Lee will be keys for us to get a win,” said Black. “On offense, we want to continue to have a good balance, and get contributions from everyone.”

The Bolts are on a hot three-game streak with victories over the Barangay Ginebra Kings, the Kia Carnival and the Talk n Text Tropang Texters, but the E-Painters also ride a momentum of back-to-back triumphs over the NLEX Road Warriors and the Globalport Batang Pier.

But Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao has his deep concerns against Meralco.

“They are shooting 3-pointers very well. That’s our concern defense wise,” said Guiao.

 “They are really active on defense, limiting their opponents to less than 80 points per outing. They have a three-game streak and their confidence is really high. We have to start strong and dampen their momentum early,” Guiao also said.

If they find success, the Elasto Painters tie the Bolts at third place at 2-1 and leave the Purefoods Star Hotshots and the Barako Energy Cola as the remaining unbeaten teams in the short mid-season tourney.

After losing a close game against Talk n Text, Rain or Shine tripped the Road Warriors, 96-91, then subdued the Batang Pier, 104-98.

“We’re just trying to string up as many wins as we can as we're still not yet 100 percent. We're struggling with our execution and with our defensive energy,” said Guiao.

“We’re hoping to carve out wins that will help us gain the rhythm we’re looking for. Now, it's still not there,” Guiao also said.

In the recent Philippine Cup, Rain or Shine lost its semifinal playoff versus eventual champion San Miguel Beer while Meralco was eliminated by Alaska Milk in the second stage of the quarterfinals.

The Bolts are off to a 3-0 start in the Commissioner’s Cup largely on the sterling efforts of import Josh Davis and Gary David who’s now playing off the bench.

“I’m comfortable with that. I have no problem starting or coming off the bench,” said David.