Painters stake clean card vs Batang Pier

Games today (Philsports Arena)

4:15 p.m. – NLEX vs Mahindra

7 p.m. – Globalport vs Rain or Shine

MANILA, Philippines – Rain or Shine deals with a surgiang Globalport side and its explosive, exciting backcourt rotation in a bid to preserve its perfect run in the Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup at the Philsports Arena in Pasig tonight.

The Elasto Painters stake their unblemished slate (3-0) and the solo lead as they mix it up with Stanley Pringle, Terrence Romeo, Joseph Yeo and the rest of the fired-up Globalport squad in an interesting match at 7 p.m.

The Batang Pier hope to stretch their own two-game run and force a heavy jam in the lead with the Elasto Painters, the Alaska Milk Aces, the San Miguel Beermen and possibly the NLEX Road Warriors at 3-1.

NLEX tangles with Mahindra at 4:15 p.m. – a match between two teams that agreed to a trade deal that sent No. 2 draft selection Troy Rosario to TNT.

“Mahindra is now a different team with the addition of KG Canaleta, Aldrech Ramos and Bradwyn Guinto. This is a dangerous team,” said NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez.

“Their three losses are not an indication of how strong they are because their losses are close ones. Mahindra is one of the best teams right now in forcing turnovers. They’re a team to reckon with,” Fernandez added.

The Elasto Painters also brace for a tough battle against the Batang Pier, wary of their rivals’ formidable guard crew.

“Containing their guards is the key to winning against Globalport,” said ROS coach Yeng Guiao.

“They have the quickest set of guards in the league. They can break down defenses at will,” Guiao also said. “Our focus is on staying in front of these guys and hope that our challenge will be good enough. If they will hit their three-pointers, that makes them doubly hard to beat.”