The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters are arguably the hottest team in the conference, and they have the shaky Northport Batang Pier next on their crosshairs.

Catch the game this Wednesday, April 17th, at 3:00 PM.

Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (4-4) 

Projected starting five:

  • Anton Asistio
  • Jhonard Clarito
  • Andrei Caracut
  • Beau Belga
  • Santi Santillan

Living by its name, Rain or Shine has weathered the storm and is now shining. After starting out 0-4, they have stitched together four-straight victories by dishing it out on both ends. They are scoring 109.0 points per game and winning by an average of 13.5 points in their active streak.

The bigs should continue holding it down for the Elasto Painters. Stretch big man Santi Santillan paces the team with 20.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.2 threes per game on 54% shooting, with veteran, big-bodied forward Beau Belga helping him out courtesy of 16.5 points, 8.8 boards, and 5.2 assists. 

Andrei Caracut, Jhonard Clarito, Shaun Ildefonso, and Keith Datu are taking turns being the main scoring support for the top guys, so it’s anyone’s guess. Caracut and Clarito did chip in 17 and 16 points during Saturday’s 116-104 win over Terrafirma Dyip, respectively. Veteran Gabe Norwood has been quiet, but don’t count him out too.

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Northport Batang Pier (4-3)

Projected starting five:

  • Joshua Munzon
  • Cade Flores
  • Will Navarro
  • Arvin Tolentino
  • Kris Rosales

After a four-game winning streak earlier, Northport is now on a two-game skid. They lost to the Magnolia Chicken Timplados this past Wednesday, 104-97, and again to the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on Sunday, 95-88.

Nevertheless, the Batang Pier will still parade some very interesting talent. Arvin Tolentino, who’s continuing to emerge as a fine talent, is once again producing all-around numbers in the conference, with 21.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game. Behind him is 2020 number one overall pick Joshua Munzon, who has 12.1 points, 3.5 assists, and a conference-leading 3.1 steals per game.

The two are good cornerstones that help cover a lot of ground on the floor, but hopefully, the other guys can provide ample support, namely Will Navarro (11.0 PPG), Cade Flores (9.7 PPG), and John Calma (7.8 PPG). This squad is capable and has plenty of time to break out of this mini slump.

PICKS:

Spread: Rain or Shine (-2)

Over/Under: Under (210.5)

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