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NLEX Gears Up for Tough Rain or Shine Battle in PBA Quarterfinals

High-Stakes Clash at PhilSports Arena

As the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals tip off, all eyes are on the intense showdown between the second-seeded NLEX Road Warriors and the seventh-ranked Rain or Shine Elasto Painters this Wednesday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City. Despite holding a twice-to-beat advantage, NLEX head coach Jong Uichico remains cautious, fully aware of the battle-hardened nature of their opponents.

NLEX’s Rare Opportunity

For the Road Warriors, this is unfamiliar territory. Coach Uichico emphasized that while Rain or Shine may be young, their playoff experience and system give them a formidable edge. “Hindi pa kami that seasoned, unlike Rain or Shine,” said Uichico, acknowledging that this is one of the first times his squad enters the playoffs from such a strong position.

He added, “We are new to this situation. We’ve always been looking up at the standings or not even given a chance to look at them. Now that we’re here, we’ll do our best to make the most of this opportunity.”

Respect for a Proven Adversary

Rain or Shine has long been a consistent fixture in the postseason, having reached the semifinals in the last two Philippine Cups. Coach Uichico is well aware of the dangers they pose. “Rain or Shine is the No. 1 scoring team. They play physical defense and can rack up points in a variety of ways. Marami silang weapons,” he noted.

According to Uichico, the E-Painters don’t have a clear offensive weakness, making them difficult to defend. “They can score in any situation, and that’s what we have to contain,” he added.

Past Results Don’t Guarantee Future Wins

While NLEX defeated Rain or Shine 109-95 in their only elimination round meeting on April 12, Uichico was quick to downplay that win. “Not counted na iyon,” he remarked. “It was their first game, and we caught them off-guard. Iba na ang nilalaro nila ngayon.” The coach emphasized that both teams have evolved since then, and any complacency could lead to an upset.

Key Returns Bolster NLEX’s Lineup

In a timely boost, NLEX is regaining key players who were previously sidelined due to injury. Anthony Semerad, Javee Mocon, and Dominic Fajardo are all set to return to action after missing the team’s narrow 108-113 loss to NorthPort. Their availability is expected to provide much-needed support to star guard Robert Bolick, who remains the focal point of the Road Warriors’ offense.

“Lahat naman sila okay na. Kumpleto kami,” Uichico confirmed, expressing relief at having a full roster ready to take on the playoff-tested Elasto Painters.

Looking Ahead with Determination

Despite the challenges ahead, the mood in the NLEX camp is one of quiet confidence. “We’re ready for this kind of situation. We’ll just try to play the way we have been playing and hope for the best,” said Uichico.

He concluded with a clear mindset: hard work, discipline, and team effort will be the keys to overcoming a hungry and dangerous Rain or Shine squad. Whether NLEX can capitalize on their twice-to-beat advantage remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Wednesday’s game promises to be a thrilling, hard-fought battle between two determined teams.