Rain or Shine seeks to move one step closer to title in Game Four vs B-MEG

AKTV/Paul Ryan Tan

Rain or Shine seeks a victory that will put the franchise closer to its first title in the PBA.

The Elasto Painters battle B-MEG in Game Four of the PBA Governors’ Cup finals Sunday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

They collide at 6 p.m. with Rain or Shine holding a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven championship series.

“This is the best place to be 2-1 at this point in the series,” said Elasto Painters coach Yeng Guiao. “The biggest thing we could do is play as hard as we can. The boys knew this is our destiny.”

Rain or Shine reclaimed the lead in the series following its 93-84 win in Game Three last Friday despite missing the services of top rookie Paul Lee.

Lee has been declared out of the series due to a dislocated left shoulder he got in Game Two.

“Rain or Shine received a psychological and emotional boost from Paul Lee’s absence. They played like wounded Tigers. Hats off to them,” said Llamados coach Tim Cone.

“Now it’s our turn to respond. We need get back to our identity and lean on our defense.”

Cone needs a better effort from his starting unit to tie the series and prune it down to a best-of-three affair.

James Yap, Marc Pingris, Peter June Simon and Marqus Blakely hardly played in the second half last Friday, particularly in the fourth quarter where the Elasto Painters broke away in the game.

Cone explained that he wanted to give his stars some rest, saying he’s looking at the big picture.

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