MANILA, Philippines -- RAIN or Shine (ROS) stakes its unblemished record against San Miguel Beer (SMB) when they collide in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The well-rested Elasto Painters (4-0) take on the Beermen (3-2) at the 7:30 p.m. main game.
Serving as appetizer at 5:15 p.m. is Blackwater, which goes up against Titan Ultra, where both teams try to break off from their similar 1-3 start.
ROS won its first four games, including a record-setting 151-95 demolition of Blackwater on March 31, just before the league took a Holy Week break.
As the lone unbeaten team in the 12-team field, ROS coach Yeng Guiao hopes the weeklong layoff has served his young players well as they try to use their vaunted fast-paced offense against the Beermen.
“That’s been our game, that’s been our identity,” Guiao said, pointing to the running game they employ this season. “We liked to get out quickly in transition and try to find our rhythm in the open court. That’s how we generate our looks for our shots.”
SMB has won its last two games under new import Justin Patton, who came in to replace Marcus Lee.
The Beermen routed the Macao Black Knights, 110-96, before nipping the Barangay Ginebra Kings, 88-85 on a game-winning triple by Don Trollano in the dying seconds last Sunday.
ROS has a slew of young players who are capable of pushing the tempo of the game led by Adrian Nocum, Gian Mamuyac, Andrei Caracut, along with Leonard Santillan and rookies Vincent Cuajao, Christian Manaytay and Jun Roque, who all played well in their 56-point rout of the Bossing.
Meanwhile, the Bossing hope to bounce back from that massive beating the last time out when they clash with the Giant Risers.
Both teams have struggled in their first four games, though Blackwater expects man-mountain import Robert Upshaw, RK Ilagan and Sedrick Barefield, along with big man Christian David to take the lead.