PBA: NLEX, ROS clash in showdown of early surprise contenders

Yeng Guiao expects an "even" showdown between Rain Or Shine and NLEX in a clash between early surprises. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--One week in, NLEX and Rain Or Shine have emerged as potential dark horses in the PBA Governors' Cup.

Both the Road Warriors and Elasto Painters won back-to-back games to open their campaign, and boasting rosters full of promise, a showdown on Wednesday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium with the winner taking the top spot in Group B could virtually tell if they are for real or not.

"NLEX is a different team now. They have a good import (Myke Henry) and a new coach (Jong Uichico). I think their chemistry is better. Magaling din yung nakuha nilang rookie from the draft (Jonnel Policarpio), so they will be very dangerous," ROS coach Yeng Guiao told Dugout Philippines about how he sees NLEX now.

While he sees their game scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off as "even," Guiao is confident that the E-Painters could pull it off against the Road Warriors as his team continues to get solid contributions from each player and all the more from import Aaron Fuller.

A win could not only send a message to the perennial contenders that they are for real but also, at least in the case of ROS, put them halfway into their goal of making the crossover playoffs.

"Ang objective ng team namin is to win six wins as soon as possible," Guiao further said.

In the first game at 5 p.m., Meralco tries to join a logjam for first place in Group A with a showdown against slumping Terrafirma.

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