Rain or Shine def Magnolia, 102-100 [PBA S49 Comm’s Cup | Dec. 18, 2024]

Rain or Shine is poised to achieve its immediate objectives as they gear up to face a Magnolia squad eager to end its recent slump this Wednesday at the PBA Commissioner’s Cup held at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

A third consecutive victory would propel the Elasto Painters to a promising 3-1 record, inching them closer to their goal of securing a spot among the league’s elite. However, they must first navigate a determined Hotshots team desperate to halt their three-game losing streak, which has left them at a disappointing 1-3.

“Bago sana mag-Pasko manalo pa kami para masaya Pasko,” Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao offered after his squad followed up its rout of Eastern with an equally emphatic win over San Miguel Beer, the last via a 107-93 count.

“Meron talaga kaming hinahabol na number of wins bago mag-Pasko,” added Guiao, whose team closes out the year against Terrafirma on Sunday before next seeing action on Jan. 8.

“Kaya lang malalakas pa rin iyung makakalaban namin,” noted Guiao, specifically citing Magnolia.

“May rivalry na rin kami, may history kami. Nakalaban namin sila sa quarterfinals. Hirap na hirap kami. Kung talunin kami ng Magnolia tambakan, pero manalo kami sa kanila konti lang,” related Guiao.

“So parang kabisado nila laro namin. Kaya nilang maglaro ng mabilis, meron silang mga beterano na dependable. So mabigat na laban iyung Magnolia,” Guiao also said.

While Rain or Shine triumphed in their previous encounter during the last Governors’ Cup, coach Yeng Guiao remains acutely aware that Magnolia poses a significant threat. The potential return of key players like Ricardo Ratliffe, Paul Lee, and Zavier Lucero could change the game dynamics dramatically.

Lee, currently sidelined with a rib contusion sustained in a narrow 91-93 defeat to Converge, missed subsequent close contests against NorthPort and TNT—both of which the Hotshots lost by a mere seven points combined. Meanwhile, Lucero also sat out last week’s matchup against the Tropang Giga due to knee discomfort.

As the anticipation builds, Guiao shifts the focus to Ratliffe and the pivotal battle between his own import, Deon Thompson, and the Magnolia standout. It’s a clash that could very well dictate the outcome in a match laden with playoff implications.