NLEX clashes with RoS for first time since Guiao’s transfer

Games Friday (PhilSports Arena)

4:15 p.m. – TNT KaTropa vs Alaska

7 p.m. – Rain or Shine vs NLEX

MANILA, Philippines – The PBA Philippine Cup features an interesting pre-Christmas presentation Friday night at the PhilSports Arena top-billed by what could well be an emotional first face-off between coach Yeng Guiao – now with NLEX –  and his former team Rain or Shine.

Alaska Milk also sees action in this Friday twinbill, returning to the scene of its numerous title runs in the 90s as it tangles with TNT KaTropa in the 4:15 p.m. curtain-raiser.

The Aces, the Texters, the Elasto Painters and the Road Warriors all hit the halfway mark of their elims stints, each one pushing their Top Eight aspiration.

Only the best eight team after the one-round-robin elims will make the quarterfinals. The top two enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage versus the bottom two while the middle teams figure in a pair of best-of-three showdowns.

Alaska, TNT and ROS set out for battle, all looking to catch up with Blackwater at second place at 4-2. NLEX, meanwhile, has now a lot of catching up to do at 1-4.

With the Road Warriors still in a period of adjustment under their new coach, the E-Painters are fancied to break off a five-way tie at third place with the Aces, the Texters, the GlobalPort Batang Pier and the Star Hotshots.

The E-Painters are likely to dish out their best – not to spite but in respect and honor of the bench chieftain who steered the ROS franchise to six finals and two championships.

Before the game, there will surely be exchanges of pleasantries as Guiao and the team parted ways in the offseason cordially. They will then proceed to an expected all-out battle in a duel between a mentor versus his former players.

"I just reminded the players not to get too emotional seeing coach Yeng on the other side. Both teams play with practically the same system so it will boil down to execution," said returning ROS head coach Caloy Garcia on the eve of the match.

Alaska and TNT clash in duel of two elite teams.

"TNT is one of the two most talented teams in the league. They are long. They are athletic. They are in their prime. They are well coached. Without question, this is a top contender for the championship every conference including this one," said Alaska coach Alex Compton of TNT.

Compton mentioned Jayson Castro, Ranidel de Ocampo and Kelly Williams who will put incredible challenge on his team.

"How we can defend and keep them off the glass will be a huge part of this game," said Compton.

Alaska is crippled minus main big men Sonny Thoss and Noy Baclao, but the Aces are on a three-game roll on their gritty showings. They won their last three games over the GlobalPort Batang Pier, the Meralco Bolts and the Barangay Ginebra Kings.