The PBA is back to its double-header daily schedule this Tuesday, with the matchup between the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel capping the day with an intriguing battle of serious title contenders.
Catch this game live on October 27 at 6:45 pm, Manila time.
The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (3-1)
The Elasto Painters were supposed to play the Blackwater Elite on Sunday, but due to the COVID-19 scare inside the bubble, that had to be scrapped. In other words, Rain or Shine will enter Tuesday’s game against the Barangay with the fresher legs due to a long rest.
Rain or Shine must be so eager to get back on the court. The last time the Elasto Painters saw action, they absorbed a gut-wrenching 89-88 loss to the Alaska Aces on Oct. 22, as their usually stout defense allowed the Aces to shoot 48 FG% and 40 3FG%. Still, Rain or Shine has proven it can slow down opposing teams’ offenses, such as when the Elasto Painters held the San Miguel Beeermen down to only 34 FG% in an 87-83 win on Oct. 13.
Javee Mocon’s great two-way play will be crucial for Rain or Shine against Ginebra, as he’ll be tasked to contain the Barangay’s wings and score as well, together with veteran Gabe Norwood. Mocon leads the Elasto Painters with 14.75 points per game.
The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (4-1)
The Barangay are coming off their first loss of the conference, as they got downed by sister franchise Magnolia Hotshots on Sunday, 102-92.
Ginebra got 24 points from Stanley Pringle, who continues to sizzle in Angeles City, while Japeth Aguilar provided 13 points in 27 minutes of action off the bench. Pringle simply didn’t get much help from his fellow starters, with Scottie Thompson the only one outside of Pringle in the first five who scored in double digits with his 10 points.
Against a good defensive team in Rain or Shine, Ginebra needs to be more patient on offense, though, it seems that the Barangay can pull the trigger from deep whenever they feel it, considering that they are the most accurate 3-point shooting team in the league. Ginebra, which sank 13 treys against Magnolia, is making 41% of their shots from behind the arc, knocking down 11.8 on 29.0 3-point attempts per game.
That kind of shooting will be key in loosening up Rain or Shine’s interior defense that’s being clogged by the big bodies of Beau Belga and Norbert Torres.
PREDICTION:
Ginebra will get rid of the bad taste in their mouth from that loss to Magnolia by shooting the ball well and outsmarting Rain or Shine’s defense. Ginebra wins this game, 90-85.
