It is becoming clearer that the TNT Tropang Giga are the better team than Rain or Shine. But after their 108-91 loss to TNT in Game 2, the Elasto Painters still hope to turn the tide in their favor. Will Rain or Shine prevent a dreaded 3-0 series deficit with a win this Sunday? Or, will the Tropang Giga sound the death knell for Rain or Shine’s seasin with a victory in Game 3?
Catch this game live on Sunday, October 13 at 7:30 pm, Manila time.
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (0-2)
Projected Starting Five:
- Adrian Nocum
- Andrei Caracut
- Jhonard Clarito
- Gabe Norwood
- Aaron Fuller
Odds are dimming for the Elasto Painters to move on to the PBA Finals. But the important thing for the independent PBA franchise is that it is still alive in the semifinals with a chance to trim its series deficit in half. Rain or Shine’s downfall in Game 2 was not all that surprising, given the fact that import Aaron Fuller only came up with 13 points. He also grabbed just six rebounds in 31 minutes of action on the floor.
With Fuller unable to get his usual numbers on the glass, the Elasto Painters got massively outshot again in Game 2, 95-73. Although they were only behind by two rebounds to TNT at the end of the game, the Elasto Painters turned the ball over 16 times, leading to extra possessions for the Tropang Giga. Rain or Shine now has 32 turnovers in the series, an eyesore of a stat for Yeng Guiao’s squad that will have to be addressed by the team soon.
TNT Tropang Giga (2-0)
Projected Starting Five:
- Rey Nambatac
- RR Pogoy
- Kim Aurin
- Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
- Kelly Williams
The Tropang Giga are in cruise control. They’ve even gotten better in the series, as evidenced by the increase in their winning margin to 17 from just nine in Game 1. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson continues to show why he’s the better import than his fellow Pac-12 product, as he produced 23 points, eight rebounds, and two assists in Game 2. He did not have a shinier stat line compared to what he had in the series opener, but he still is checking so many boxes for TNT.
Meanwhile, Calvin Oftana and Rey Nambatac took turns lighting up Rain or Shine’s defense on Friday. Oftana had 18 points and 14 rebounds while Nambatac scattered 17 points with six boards and four assists. It just seems that the Tropang Giga have the answers to what Rain or Shine is throwing at them while the Elasto Painters struggle to find a solution to the TNT juggernaut. That includes the Tropang Giga’s dominance in the paint, where they outscored Rain or Shine by 28 points in Game 2.
Picks
Spread: TNT (1.64)
Over/Under: Over (214.5)
