PBA: Must-win games for Rain or Shine in Dubai

Rain or Shine plays Barako Bull Thursday night in the first of grueling back-to-back games that will have the Elasto Painters facing Ginebra on Friday, in what coach Yeng Guiao describes as a challenging situation for his embattled team. "It's a must that we come out and play our best. We're the only winless team, and we are faced with a challenging situation," said Guiao prior to departing for the emirate city. The two teams clash at 8 p.m. at the Al-Shabab Sports Club (12 midnight, Manila time), with the Elasto Painters aiming for that breakghtrough win in the PBA Commissioner's Cup after losing their first two games. The last of those two setbacks was a 122-120 heartbreaker against Powerade last week, in a game where Rain or Shine squandered a 17-point lead. Gary David's game-winning three-pointer helped the Tigers clinch the come-from-behind victory. But the Energy—one of three teams holding a 1-2 (win-loss) record together with Petron ang Meralco—are also looking to snap a two-game skid, capped by a 97-88 loss to Marcus Douthit and the Air21 Express. The Elasto Painters actually have limited time to regroup as they take on the Barangay Ginebra Kings the following day at 7 p.m. (11 p.m. Friday night, Manila time). "It's a tough back-to-back schedule for us," said Guiao, aware of his team's short, but grueling timetable in the league's first out-of-the country sojourn in the import-laden tournament. The Kings are a notch higher in the standings than the Elasto Painters and Energy with an even 1-1 card. But like Rain or Shine and Barako Bull, Ginebra too, is coming off a frustrating loss at the hands of Alaska, 76-74, behind L.A. Tenorio's seven straight points—including a rare four-point play—in the last 21 seconds. — JVP, GMA News