Rain or Shine hopes to keep a perfect run while Blackwater looks to break slump as they slug it out in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City Wednesday night.
The Elasto Painters stake their clean 2-0 win-loss slate in the 7 p.m. tiff versus the Elite who are off to a fumbling start with losses to the NorthPort Batang Pier and the Meralco Bolts.
No doubt, the E-Painters are in high spirits following their 96-87 drubbing of the NLEX Road Warriors then an 83-80 humbling of the Barangay Ginebra Kings in a road showdown in Calasiao, Pangasinan Saturday.
The Elite, meanwhile, are thrown off-track - their offseason plans derailed by the non-availability of draft selection Bobby Ray Parks.
They were pathetic in a 91-117 rout by the Batang Pier and continued to struggle in a 94-99 loss to the Bolts.
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Blackwater coach Bong Ramos, however, is hopeful they would eventually find a way to win.
"Kung ano ang nasa lineup namin, we'll make do with that," said Ramos, still in the process of developing a chemistry with their old hands plus new recruits including Paul Desiderio and Abu Tratter.
The E-Painters are a cohesive unit with their intact lineup improved by the addition of rookie forward Javee Mocon.
Impressive were the E-Painters in their wins over the Road Warriors and the Gin Kings that they pulled off even minus injury-hit center Raymond Almazan.
Norbert Torres held the fort in the absence of Almazan, with the young Fil-Canadian center averaging 11.5 points in their first two games.
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Beau Belga and Jewel Ponferada were also there to provide muscle and energy at the paint.
Meanwhile, Blackwater sorely lacks the inside presence on the departure of Poy Erram.
Nonetheless, Rain or Shine and Blackwater are expected to figure in an exciting match. (SB)
