WITH a Game Four loss putting the team in a sink-or-swim situation, Rain or Shine big man Beau Belga said the Elasto Painters will have to control the boards in order to enhance their chances of tying San Mig Super Coffee in their PLDT myDSL-PBA Philippine Cup Finals series on Friday.
The wide-bodied Belga only had three rebounds in 23 minutes after being hobbled by fouls, a big reason why the Elasto Painters were beaten on the boards, 49-39, by the Mixers in Game Four.
San Mig went on to grab a 2-1 series lead following its nail-biting 77-76 win after Rain or Shine gunner Jeff Chan failed to convert his three-point attempt in the dying seconds.
“Rebounding, iyun ang isang concern namin,” rued the former Philippine Christian University center. “Hindi pa kami nananalo sa rebounds ever since the start ng semis kasi lagi kaming talo sa Petron.”
The 27-year-old bruiser said if the Elasto Painters can only pull even in the rebounds department, he believes they have a solid chance of reducing the Finals into a best-of-three.
“Ngayon sa Finals, manalo lang kami sa rebounds, may chance kami manalo sa ball game, kasi talo kami ng 10 rebounds, eh talo lang kami ng one point. Mag-even lang sa rebounds, malaking bagay na yan,” he added.
Rain or Shine managed to snatch Game One, 83-80, behind Paul Lee’s endgame heroics, but was beaten off the boards, 44-55. Game Two also saw San Mig hold a 50-47 rebounding edge, but the Mixers took an 80-70 win.
Game Four is set on Friday with San Mig shooting for a commanding 3-1 lead.
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