Beermen, Elasto Painters eye solo lead

MANILA, Philippines - Titleholder San Miguel Beer and tough rival Rain or Shine slug it out in a marquee matchup, disputing the solo lead in the resumption of the Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City tonight.

The Beermen and the Elasto Painters square off at 7 p.m. in a duel pitting the reigning two-conference champs and the only team that made the Final Four of each conference last season.

Meralco and Blackwater meet in the 4:15 p.m. curtain-raiser, both out to break into the win-column of the all-Filipino tourney.

The Elite dropped close battles against the NLEX Road Warriors (86-90) and the Alaska Milk Aces (79-87) while the Bolts lost their season opener versus the Beermen (85-101) before the league took a brief break in observance of the All Saints Day and All Souls Day.

The Beermen and the E-Painters are both well rested and pumped up as they break a four-way logjam with the Road Warriors and the Aces.

SMB coach Leo Austria has considered Rain or Shine as among the Beermen’s toughest hurdles in their title-retention quest for its chemistry.

“Everyone is saying we’re the team to beat because we ruled two conferences last year. I can’t dispute that. Then the way I see it, I find Rain or Shine and Alaska as our toughest challenges,” said Austria.

“Right behind them are Talk n Text and Ginebra which both are still on an adjustment period. Talk n Text with their new recruits and Ginebra with coach Tim Cone and his system,” Austria added.

“Rain or Shine is very fluid. We all saw that in their first two games,” Austria also said.

San Miguel rapped Globalport, 97-86, then ripped Meralco, 101-85, while Rain or Shine fashioned out a come-from-behind 96-87 win over Star then rolled past Mahindra, 108-84.