RAIN or Shine plays its first game since a fistfight in a victory over TNT left the Elasto Painters to play without an import for a game against Meralco in Friday’s PBA 50th Season Commissioner's Cup action.
Barangay Ginebra is also back in action, gunning for a second win against NLEX in the second game of the doubleheader.
MERALCO VS. RAIN OR SHINE
When: Friday, March 27. 5:15 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
Rain or Shine without Jaylen Johnson
Rain or Shine will go for win No. 3 on Friday against Meralco. The Elasto Painters, however, will be playing all-Filipino as Jaylen Johnson will not be at their disposal to serve a one-game suspension for a fighting incident with TNT’s Glenn Khobuntin during their game last week. The ban stood despite an appeal by Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao.
Who will step up for Rain or Shine?
With Jaylen Johnson out, Rain or Shine will have to gut out a win with a collective effort. Santi Santillan is expected to get more minutes in the game after playing just nine minutes and 52 seconds and ending up scoreless in the TNT game. Caelan Tiongson and Christian Manaytay are among the players that will presumably be on assignment to defend Meralco’s import Marvin Jones, who was fresh from a 15-point, 15-rebound, two-block outing against Phoenix Super LPG.
Battle of unbeaten teams
Meralco and Rain or Shine will be going up against each other with the goal to stay unbeaten. The Bolts defeated Meralco, 93-86, last Saturday to remain unbeaten, while the Elasto Painters beat TNT, 112-109, to also go 2-0.
Brickman’s across-the-board effort
Jason Brickman was all over the floor for Meralco in its win over Phoenix Super LPG, collecting 16 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. To think that Brickman was dealing with a minor groin injury in that contest. And with six days in between the two games, he is expected to be a lot more dangerous against Rain or Shine.
BARANGAY GINEBRA VS. NLEX
When: Friday, March 27. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
Gin Kings seek second straight win
Barangay Ginebra goes for a 2-0 record in its game against NLEX. The Gin Kings defeated Macau Black Knights, 110-93, in their first match of the conference.
NLEX tries to bounce back
NLEX suffered its first defeat in three games this conference last Sunday when it was upended by TNT, 103-97.
Inside presence needed
NLEX will need more production from the paint in order to have a chance against Barangay Ginebra. Against TNT, NLEX only mounted 28 points in the paint against TNT, which doubled that output. The Road Warriors scored more from the perimeter, 61-26, but they need a wide array of weapons against the Gin Kings.
Brownlee’s first game back
Justin Brownlee was back with Barangay Ginebra last Sunday when he had 31 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocks in the win over the Macau Black Knights. If there is something to nitpick about Brownlee’s performance in his return is that he was only 1-of-6 from three-point range. Brownlee will try to do better from the outside against NLEX.
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