The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters try to be the first team in the quarterfinals as they continue their quest for more wins in the continuing 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup.
The red-hot Elasto Painters (6-1) are eyeing their fourth straight win as they tangle with cellar-dweller Blackwater Elite (1-7) even as the Meralco Bolts (4-2) and the Phoenix Fuelmaster (3-3) duel at 7 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight.
Rain or Shine is tied with TNT KaTropa for first place as they share identical marks. It can regain sole possession of the top spot with another win and more importantly, it will formalize a berth in the quarters.
Both the Painters and the Elite were coming off hard-fought victories in their last assignments against the same team.
Rain or Shine endured in an overtime grinder against Magnolia to take a 99-96 squeaker last week for its third straight victory.
Blackwater took the similar path as it finally listed a win after eight tries when Henry Walker slammed home the game-winner just last Wednesday night to lift the Elite to an 86-84 escape over the Hotshots.
Meralco is another team that’s been very consistent thus far.
The Bolts are keeping in step with the leaders and are still in the running for a top two finish.
They impressed in their last victory, dominating Barangay Ginebra, 93-82, last week.
In contrast the Fuel Masters dropped their last game against San Miguel, 106-94, despite a strong start.
