E-Painters try to edge closer to PBA plum

MANILA, Philippines - Having taken a step back in resting their big guns Friday, the B-Meg Llamados now look to take two steps forward, but the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters are as much determined to move within a win of a first ever PBA crown tonight at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The E-Painters try to follow up their inspiring 93-84 victory in Game Three even as the Llamados are expected to pour out the energy they saved the last time in a bid to once again get even in the fourth game of the PBA Governors Cup best-of-seven finals.

Game time is at 6 p.m., after the Leo Awards where the season’s best achievers take the spotlight.

Ginebra’s Mark Caguioa, Powerade’s Gary David and B-Meg’s James Yap are slugging it out for the coveted MVP award while RoS’ Paul Lee and Powerade’s Jayvee Casio are in a close fight for the Rookie of the Year award.

Jeff Chan and Jireh Ibañez are other RoS players in the running for an award but the team has kept its focus on its championship drive.

On the eve of Game Four, B-Meg coach Tim Cone, on the other hand, had to sort out some problem caused by his action and statement Friday.

He apologized to the B-Meg fans he offended by saying, among others: “I really can’t worry about what other people think. I can’t worry about the fans. I love the fans but I can’t worry about them.”

“When I said fans, I meant fans in general, not the B-Meg Planet! B-Meg Planet is part of our organization, and my responsibility is to them,” said Cone on his Twitter page.

“My responsibility is to try to win another championship for them, I rested James (Yap) and PJ (Simon) so that they could be fresh for Sunday,” Cone added.

Cone is optimistic his ploy works, hoping to draw the best from his two gunners after giving them much rest Friday.

Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, however, insists they have the Llamados’ number.  

The Elasto Painters are now 4-1 versus the Llamados in the season-ending tourney. The E-Painters go out today to hand Guiao a 500th PBA career win. Only Baby Dalupan and Cone have hit the milestone.

“I didn’t make my declaration just for bravado. It came from the heart. I had the strength of heart,” said Guiao, who declared Wednesday they would win the series with or without their injured ace playmaker Lee.

The Elasto Painters proved their coach right at least in Game Three where they overwhelmed the Llamados with a searing attack in the final half, leading by as many as 21 at 75-54.

B-Meg engaged RoS in a duel of spurts early on, gaining a 10-point spread as Mark Barroca and Josh Urbiztondo applied an efficient press on TY Tang, forcing the reserve RoS guard to a number of errors.

Cone’s other tricks didn’t work, though, prompting him just to hold back in the second half.

“They played like a wounded tiger. They played with great energy. They got on a roll with great momentum and we couldn’t stop them,” said Cone.

“But we didn’t waste energy of James and PJ to get into the game. I think that’s the better strategy,” Cone added.