The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters are among the mild surprises of the early goings in the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup, but up next for them is a tough challenge in the form of the NorthPort Batang Pier. Although winless, the Batang Pier are no pushovers and should put the Elasto Painters in an acid test.

Catch this game live on October 18 at 4:00 pm, Manila time.

The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters  (2-0)

The youth movement over at the side of the Elasto Painters is giving so much color to the team’s attack. Ray Nambatac and Javee Mocon have been the leaders of the undefeated Elasto Painters, who phased out the Terrafirma Dyip in an easy 91-82 win last Friday.

Sting Ray paced Rain or Shine with 19 points, while Mocon and Beau Belga each had 14 points. Nambatac and Mocon combine for five of the team’s seven 3-pointers, as well. The two-pronged attack of Nambatac and Mocon could spell another trouble for NorthPort’s defense that’s been lit up by opposing guards in its last two games.

Mocon leads the Elasto Painters with 19.5 points per game, while Nambatac is behind him with 11.5. Offense aside, the two are playing tenacious on the other end of the floor. Together with Gabe Norwood, Mocon and Nambatac give Rain or Shine stingy defense to slow down NorthPort’s guards and wings, especially Sean Anthony.

Plus, with Belga providing muscle in the middle along with Jewel Ponferada and Norbert Torres, the Elasto Painters have the bodies to throw at NorthPort star Christian Standhardinger.

The NorthPort Batang Pier  (0-2)

Although the Batang Pier are winless in two games, they’ve at least been competitive in both those losses. NorthPort lost to the Blackwater Elite in its opener, 96-89, with the latter exploding for 41 points in the third quarter. The Batang Pier next lost to the Phoenix Fuel Masters last Thursday, 110-105.

Regardless of their current record, the Batang Pier are a team that can’t be taken lightly because of the tandem of Standhardinger and Anthony.

Not many teams in the PBA can boast of two Energizer bunnies who just don’t know how to stop when they’re on the floor. C-Stand and Anthony both had double-double nights in the Phoenix game, with the former coming away with 28 points and 11 rebounds, while the latter had 23 points and 12 boards.

As a testament to those two’s aggressiveness, Anthony and Standhardinger are No. 1 and 2 in the league this conference in free-throw attempts, with 14.5 and 13.5 per game, respectively.

PREDICTIONS:

Rain or Shine play a more cohesive style of basketball, with great consistency on offense and defense. Versatility is also a huge reason for the success this conference by the Elasto Painters, who’s got six listed guard/forward hybrids to just two by NorthPort. Rain or Shine wins, 91-84.