Painters favored to make finals

Talk ‘N Text coach Chot Reyes was not entirely correct when he said that it is only his team that had its fate in its hands.

For making the title series of the PBA Governors’ Cup with a workmanlike thrashing of Barangay Ginebra Sunday night, the Tropang Texters actually handed Rain or Shine “control” of its own destiny heading into the final two days of the playoffs.

The Elasto Painters, bannered by import Arizona Reid, have two games left in their schedule and could arrange a best-of-seven championship duel with the Grand Slam-seeking Texters with victories in both games.

Rain or Shine battles Alaska in the 7:45 p.m. contest tomorrow before colliding with the Gin Kings Friday night. Wins over the two powerhouses would shut the door on everyone else and give the Painters their first championship stint in the PBA.

Petron Blaze will also be left out in the cold even if the Boosters manage to win both their closing games—against B-Meg tomorrow and the Texters on Friday—as they and the Elasto Painters will end up tied with 8-5 records.

The 30-point loss against Rain or Shine in the elimination round will seal Petron’s fate and will allow the Painters its first crack at a PBA title since joining the league five years ago.

Of the four squads still in the running, Alaska seems to be the team with least control, with the Aces, granting that they win over the Painters tomorrow, still not advancing to the Finals in the event of a Ginebra win over Rain or Shine Friday night.

Seeing Ginebra win over the Painters, should they be ousted by the Aces, is not hard to do with Rain or Shine to offer just token resistance in that game.

Another scenario would put Petron in the Finals against the Texters if the Boosters win their remaining two games and Rain or Shine splits its final assignments. Should that happen, Petron will have the superior quotient against the Kings. /inquirer