Rain or Shine could go as high as the no. 6 spot, or as low as a playoff for the last slot in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup playoffs.
The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters aim to close out the elimination round on a strong note as they face the TNT Tropang Giga on Friday, Jan. 31, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
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With a 6-5 record, Rain or Shine has already secured at least a playoff for the No. 8 seed, but a win over TNT could push them as high as sixth place, depending on the outcome of the Meralco-Magnolia matchup earlier in the day.
Despite a recent slump after their five-game winning streak, the Elasto Painters are looking to regain momentum heading into the quarterfinals.
Their depth and fast-paced play, led by import Deon Thompson, rising stars Adrian Nocum and Jhonard Clarito, and veterans Beau Belga and Gabe Norwood, will be crucial against a TNT squad still vying for a top-2 finish and a twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs.
Will Rain or Shine pull off a big win to avoid a sudden-death scenario in the playoffs, or will TNT flex its might as one of the top teams this conference?
Either way, expect an intense battle as both teams fight for a better postseason path.
(With reports from Jan Ballesteros)
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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]