Elasto Painters, Gin Kings eye 2-0 start in PBA PH Cup

Games today

Araneta Coliseum:

4:15 p.m.- Global Port vs. Air21

6:30 p.m.- Rain or Shine vs. Barangay Ginebra

THE BARANGAY Ginebra Kings and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters target a second straight victory at each other’s expense as they meet in the today’s main game og the young 38th PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Kings and the Painters are off to a good start, tying three other teams at the top with similar 1-0 (win-loss) starts.

Ginebra started their campaign with an easy 110-90 win over Global Port Batang Pier in a game where new recruit LA Tenorio displaying a brilliant all-around game by tallying 10 assists, nine rebounds and two points.

Tenorio’s superbe quarter-backing resulted to six Ginebra players scoring in double figures led by Mark Caguioa’s 18 points. Rookies Keith Jensen and Chris Ellis debuted for the Kings with 13 and 12 markers, respectively.

Rain or Shine picked up from where it left off in the Governors’ Cup, downing the fancied Petron Blaze Boosters with a convincing 102-86 decision.

Jeff Chan led the Painters in that game with 20 points. The victory, however, came with a cost as star rookie Chris Tiu suffered a hamstring injury, an injury that prevented him joining the team several tune-up games in the off-season.

Rain or Shine is already without Paul Lee, who is out due to an injured shoulder.

Global Port, meanwhile, tries to finally barge into the win column against the Air21 Express in the 4:15 p.m. curtain-raiser./EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA