E-Painters out to humble ex-mentor?

MANILA, Philippines - Emotions are expected to run high as NLEX new coach Yeng Guiao meets his former chargers in Rain or Shine while Alaska returns to the scene of past title runs in the 90s in the PBA Philippine Cup pre-Christmas offering tonight at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.

It will be the first face-off between the feisty coach and the Elasto Painters since parting ways in the off-season. Gametime is at 7 p.m.

Alaska Milk also sees action in this Friday twinbill 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, going all out as they try to bolster their respective Top Eight aspirations.

Only the top eight 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 at 4-2. NLEX, meanwhile, has 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 with the Aces, Texters, GlobalPort Batang Pier and Star Hotshots.

The E-Painters are out to dish out their best to pay tribute to the bench chieftain who steered the ROS franchise to six finals and two championships.

“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 a duel of two elite teams.

“TNT is one of the two most talented teams in the league. They are tall. 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.