With Maring gone, ‘Rain’s’ turn to shine

MANILA, Philippines - With the weather expected to improve, the PBA Governors Cup resumes today with reigning champion Rain or Shine going for a third straight win against Petron Blaze and Commissioner’s Cup titlist Alaska Milk finally making its debut against Globalport at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Aces and the Batang Pier collide at 5:15 p.m. with the former playing their first game since ruling the second conference on a four-game sweep of Barangay Ginebra in the finale.

The Elasto Painters and the Boosters clash at 7:30 p.m.

The Aces were to meet the Talk n Text Tropang Texters in a battle of champions in the Wednesday twinbill that was however postponed due to inclement weather. The Batang Pier and the San Mig Coffee Mixers were to play in the other game.

The Elasto Painters seek a third straight victory following a 79-75 drubbing of the Mixers on Aug. 14 and a 94-74 rout of the Batang Pier three days later.

The Boosters, however, could be a tougher challenge for the E-Painters with their formidable lineup that hit its stride in its 101-95 win over the Barangay Ginebra Kings Sunday.

Petron dropped its first game in the tourney versus Meralco, 83-89.

Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, however, is confident they’re bound to improve with Gilas mainstays Jeff Chan and Gabe Norwood set to play longer minutes.

The Aces, meanwhile, are raring to plunge into action with import Wendell McKines.

Alaska coach Luigi Trillo is hopeful that McKines, who averaged 18.7 points and 10.7 rebounds as a New Mexico State senior last year, can do the job Robert Dozier put up for the Aces in the last Commissioner’s Cup.

The Aces’ goal is to win first back-to-back championships for the Uytengsu ball club since Alaska narrowly missed a second grand slam feat in 1998.

Globalport seeks to duplicate its 2-1 start in the Commissioner’s Cup. The Batang Pier won two of their first three games last conference before dropping all remaining matches.

“We’re still in the process of rebuilding and we just hope to get as many ‘W’s’ that we can,” said Globalport coach Junel Baculi.