RAIN OR SHINE shoots for an outright playoff spot when it battles fast-fading Terrafirma in the main game of the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The Elasto Painters are the only unbeaten squad with their pristine 6-0 record, which they will be staking against the Dyip at 7:30 p.m.
Meeting in the opening game at 5:15 p.m. are Titan Ultra (2-3) and Converge (1-5).
The Dyip are tied for sixth to seventh spots with the Phoenix Fuel Masters at 3-3.
The charges of coach Ronald Tubid have appeared to have cooled down since opening the conference with a 3-0 record.
Terrafirma sure has its work cut out for the team against an ROS side that has been enjoying a franchise-best start of 6-0 this conference.
And the charges of coach Yeng Guiao are showing no signs of slowing down considering that they have brought down powerhouse squads TNT, San Miguel Beer and Meralco along the way.
Hulking import Jaylen Johnson has been fitting in well for ROS’ running and gunning style of play as the American provides the inside presence and even outside shooting.
Interestingly, Ali Mubashar, who led Terrafirma’s surprise 3-0 start behind 37 points per game average and over 50 percent shooting from three-point zone, has seen his scoring dip in the team’s three straight setbacks.
The seven-foot Finnish big man’s numbers have gone down to just 22.5 points, while making just two of his 20 attempts from beyond the arc in that losing stretch.
Meanwhile, the FiberXers hope to arrest their own alarming five-game skid since opening the tournament with a victory against the Macau Black Knights.
Converge has been tipped as a tournament favorite, owing to its solid core of young talent, sprinkled by the addition of veteran Calvin Abueva, who finally saw action last week in their 120-111 loss to ROS.
The “Beast” tallied five points, four rebounds and three assists in over 11 minutes of action. RICHARD DY
