Painters, Tigers relive rivalry for quarterfinals berth

MANILA, Philippines - For the second straight conference, Rain or Shine and Coca-Cola meet in the final stage of the wildcards to dispute the last available slot in the quarterfinals.

The Elasto Painters and the Tigers rekindle their feud today at the Araneta Coliseum, clashing in a knockout match for the right to play the B-MEG Derby Ace Llamados in the PBA Fiesta Conference quarterfinals.

The lone match is set at 7 p.m.

League watchers consider it as anybody’s game although the Elasto Painters have dominated the Tigers in their last few games.

Rain or Shine topped Coca-Cola, 99-84, in the same stage of the recent Philippine Cup then swept the Tigers in two elimination-round games in the current season-ending tourney.

Even Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia, however, is saying both teams have equal chances of winning, recognizing the fact that the Tigers have shown great improvement with import John Williamson.

The Tigers have won four of five matches with Williamson in tow.

“It’s a tough one. We have to play better as a team. We have to stop their shooters and neutralize their big men if we want to win,” said Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia.

Coca-Cola coach Bo Perasol expects his team to go flat-out to stay alive in the tourney.

“We’ve won crucial games as of late but everything would mean nothing if we don’t win this game,” said Perasol

While the winner advances to the quarters versus Derby Ace, the loser hits the end of the road in the season, joining Barako Energy Coffee, Air21 and Sta. Lucia Realty in the sidelines.

The Elasto Painters eased out the Express, 92-89, while the Tigers bundled out the Realtors, 100-84, Sunday to advance to the final knockout stage of the wildcards.

Williamson and Rod Nealy are expected to figure in a battle in their matchup and so do Gary David and Sol Mercado in their own duel.

Mercado played well despite the news of his father suffering a heart attack in the United States, logging 17 points, seven rebounds, five steals and four assists to help the Elasto Painters get past the Express.

The energetic Fil-foreign guard is expected to continue leading the RoS charge on his decision to forego a plan of rushing to father’s bedside.

He decided to finish their remaining games in the tourney before leaving for the United States.