Assured of a playoff berth, Rain or Shine is still determined to get going in chase of a twice-to-beat incentive in the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals.
Before heading to a 17-day breather, the Elasto Painters play the Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.
It's the E-Painters' third straight game since Friday after playing four successive matches starting Jan. 26.
"We just have to make the best out of it," said Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia who has done a good job to keep the E-Painters fresh despite a tough grind at least in the last two weeks.
And although they have seized league leadership after a 98-94 rapping of Phoenix Pulse Sunday, Garcia said they can't be complacent in their last four games especially if they want to stay on top.
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"We must stick together as a team and we must continue playing hard," said Garcia, ahead of their match against the Governors Cup champs that are off to a losing start in the all-Filipino tourney.
Even then, Garcia said they can't take Magnolia for granted.
"They became rusty lalo na at kababalik lang nila sa laro. Pero gagaling at gagaling uli yan. Baka magaling na sila uli by the time we play them," said Garcia.
From their Governors Cup title run, the Hotshots dropped back-to-back losses to TNT KaTropa and San Miguel Beer in their return to action.
But the Hotshots are confident they would get into the groove and wage a rally that they hope to start now against the Elasto Painters.
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The E-Painters, however, are hinting at a great resolve to stay in the run and jack up their front-running 6-1 win-loss card.
"During the break, we won't stop working. We have to look at what are we doing right and what we are doing wrong," said Garcia, whose team are now bound for their 11thstraight playoffs in the all-Filipino tourney.
He said the key is sticking together and trusting the system that they're playing.
"Malaking bagay din yung all the players are contributing," said Garcia, mentioning the other guys stepping up when top scorer James Yap struggled with just two points in their game against Phoenix.
As for the Hotshots at this moment, the question is who's ready to step forward and provide the wake-up call. (SB)
