Rain or Shine will lean on Christian Manaytay as it adjusts from the absence of injured Keith Datu when it clashes with TNT in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup in Cagayan de Oro.
Rain or Shine looks to recover from a tough setback when it squares off with pacesetting TNT in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Aquilino Q. Pimentel Convention Center in Cagayan de Oro Saturday, Nov. 15.
Match tees off at 7:30 p.m.
[WATCH: PBA LIVESTREAM: Rain or Shine Elasto Painters vs TNT Tropang 5G | Philippine Cup]
The Elasto Painters earlier shared the top spot with their foe, but has slid to the second spot after their 91–105 loss to NLEX the last time out.
They now tote a 5-2 card they share with the Road Warriors, Converge, Magnolia and San Miguel.
RoS will have to battle the Tropang 5G (5-1) without rising big man Keith Datu, who is out for the season with a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee.
With the frontcourt suddenly thinned, coach Yeng Guiao is turning to newly signed rookie Christian Manyatay, the 10th overall pick in the recent draft.
Guiao is optimistic despite Manyatay’s size disadvantage at the PBA level.
“Kailangan natin ng malalaki… but I think he has the tools, the skills. Maganda ang ensayo niya," said Guiao.
Rain or Shine will need every bit of support against TNT, which has won four straight and is expected to get Poy Erram back in uniform.
The Tropang 5G were carried by Kelly Williams’ 28-point eruption in their last outing, and will be energized by the CDO homecoming of Rey Nambatac.
(With reports from Jan Ballesteros)
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[Editor’s note: This article was written by a member of One Sports Digital with the help of AI and reviewed by editorial staff for accuracy.]