Wednesday, October 15, 2008 Beermen, Rain or Shine
Games Today
(Araneta Coliseum)
5:00 p.m. – Purefoods vs. Coca-Cola
7:30 p.m. – Rain or Shine vs. San Miguel
MANILA—Surprised co-leader Rain or Shine faces San Miguel Beer today in yet its biggest test so far in the 34th KFC-PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Elasto Painters, who surged to the top with two straight wins, collide against the Beermen, one of the most winningest team in the league at 7:30 p.m.
Last year’s runner-up Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants try to bounce back when they take on the Coca-Cola Tigers at 5 p.m.
Coach Caloy Garcia of the Elasto Painters even acknowledged the height advantage of the Beermen, considering the presence of Jay Washington, Samigue Eman and Dorian Pena.
Match
“We don’t have a distinct advantage with San Miguel Beer because they can match up with our speed. They also have the experience and the height advantage over us,” said Garcia, who just assumed the bench of Rain or Shine in the Fiesta Conference last year.
Garcia said that despite the performances of prized rookies Gabe Norwood and Solomon Mercado, but the Beermen remain to be a difficult team to beat.
“We will just try to play as hard as we can and compete against a powerhouse team,” added Garcia, whose Elasto Painters counted Air 21 (120-102) and Red Bull (96-90) as among their victims.
Superiority
For his part, coach Siot Tanquingcen recognized the speed of the Elasto Painters, which could make up for the Beermen’s height superiority.
“We have the height advantage over rain or shine which also happens to be our disadvantage because of their quickness,” said Tanquingcen. (FCC)
