Rain or Shine guns for PBA lead; Alaska battles TNT

RAIN OR SHINE wants to gain a piece of the lead even as three other teams try to break into the win column at the resumption of the 2017-18 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup.

The Elasto Painters (1-0) go for their second straight win when they play Blackwater Elite (0-1) 4:15 p.m. at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City tonight.

Following that is an explosive match between TNT KaTropa (0-1) and the Alaska Aces (0-1) at 7 p.m. with both teams still in search of their first win.

The Painters can tie early leaders San Miguel Beer and NLEX Road Warriors, who are both off to a 2-0 start, with another win.

Rain or Shine banked on its experienced gunners to take down TNT, 82-79, last week. The Elasto Painters were in their element in that bruising, physical match.

Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia hopes his team can sustain its nice start heading into the New Year.

“We got the start that we want and it’s about our consistency now,” said Garcia.

The Elite wasn’t as fortunate in its debut as it bowed to Meralco, 98-103, also last week.

Both the Texters and the Aces dropped their initial assignments.

While TNT lost to the Elasto Painters, Alaska got blown out by Magnolia, 108-95, last Dec. 20. The Aces were underwhelming during their opener.

“It was just a bit disappointing for us to start like that after developments in our preparation,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton. “We’re hopeful we can pick it up and shake off the jitters.”