PBA: Air21 out to extend win streak versus gloomy Rain or Shine

A conference ago, Rain or Shine looked like the bright up-and-coming squad, while Air21, known back then as the Shopinas.com Clickers, were aching for even just a single win. Scant months after, the roles have been reversed, with the Painters looking for an elusive "W" while the Express are on a roll. With Rain o Shine effectively out of post-season contention, they'll be looking to spoil Air21's win streak, Friday at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Rain or Shine	Averages	Air21
99.30	Points scored	88.20
103.00	Points allowed	88.20
45.40%	Opponents' allowed field goal percentage	41.46%
4.67 / 19.67	Three-pointers made and attempts	5.00 / 12.20
27.33 / 40.17	Free throws made and attempts	16.40 / 24.60
12.83	Turnovers	16.80
11.67 - 16.50	Fast break attempts and points off	6.80 - 7.20
57.50	Starter points	61.00
41.83	Bench points	27.20

As of March 15, 2012 Rain or Shine puts up a lot of points (third most in the league by a hair) but unfortunately for them, they also give up the most points, which explains why they're at the bottom of the standings. Shot selection is definitely one of the Elasto Painters' weak points. They average just 80 attempts per game, 19.67 of which are long-range shots, fourth-most. The team makes just 23.73 percent of those triples, also worst in the league. Making up for it somewhat is a league-high in free throw attempts, which they hit at a decent rate. On the other hand, Air21 manages the rare feat of scoring as many points as they give up, while still managing to be 3-2 with four games left to play. They're not without any warts though. The team is ninth in terms of scoring, due to a lack of scorers, and ninth in turnovers, due to a lack of true point guards. Again, the squad has managed to get around those shortcomings, but certain opponents can exploit those weaknesses and pull out a win. The question is if Rain or Shine is one of those teams. Import Match-Up

Averages	Willard Crews (RoS)	Marcus Douhit (Air21)
Minutes	39.33	41.20
Points	29.00	18.00
Field goal percentage	48.65%	35.71%
Free throws attempted	18.50	10.60
Rebounds	14.83	21.00
Assists	1.50	3.00
Steals	0.50	1.60

Crews finds himself as the third-best scoring import, accounting for almost 30 percent of Rain or Shine's offense. His 14.83 rebounds per game is also double that of the next-best rebounder on the team, Gabe Norwood, underscoring just how much the squad needs him to be competitive. Marcus Douthit, on the other hand, happens to be the import with the lowest scoring average, with five locals norming more points than him. He makes up for it in all the other categories, however, with the second-most amount of rebounds on average, and the third-most assists among imports. But given the aforementioned lack of scoring punch on Air21, head coach Franz Pumaren is no doubt hoping he stays closer to his output against Alaska (the second time in the conference he hit his best, 23 points) and far away from the disastrous six-point offering versus Talk 'N Text, a game though, it must be pointed out, they still managed to win. Lee-thargy kicking in?

All-Filipino Cup	Averages	Commissioner's Cup
28.18	Minutes	26.33
14.82	Points	11.17
4.14	Rebounds	3.17
4.77	Assists	2.83
1.00	Steals	1.17

As the second overall pick in the 2011 draft, Paul Lee had a stand-out All-Filipino Conference that made for hearty debate among fans as to whether or not he should have gone before top overall pick Jvee Casio. When Casio's Tigers advanced to the Finals over Lee's Elasto Painters, Casio-supporters won the argument, but with caveat that there were still two more conferences within the season. So far, Lee has not been helping his case, seeing huge drops in points, rebounds and assists. At times, Lee looks out of sorts with the offense, causing fiery head coach Yeng Guiao to yell words of "encouragement" to him. If the Elasto Painters are going to turn things around, it will have to start with better performances from Lee. Plan of attack

AVERAGES	In Wins	In Losses
Points scored	91.33	83.5
Possessions	93.73	85.96
Two-point makes allowed	26	35.5
Field goal percentage allowed	36.30%	50.30%
Free throw attempts allowed	25.67	30.5

The Express, with a lack of a post presence outside of Douhit, look to get out and run in order to win. Such a strategy can be seen in the numbers. Air21 has more points and more touches in wins, while opponents get more makes and charity attempts in losses, slowing the tempo down and leading to fewer looks at the basket for the Bert Lina-owned squad. X-Factors   Bad to the Beau

vs Barako Bull	MIN	PTS	FGM/FGA	FG%	FTM/FTA	FTA%	REBS
Beau Belga	32	20	7 / 10	70.00%	4 / 7	57.14%	8

Team conference highs in points and made field goals for a local It’s easy for the Elasto Painters to bask in the glow of Duke Crews' presence down low, but they had a pretty solid big man core when they marched into the All-Filipino Cup semifinals. This conference, Jervy Cruz, JR Quinahan, and Beau Belga have been mostly inconsistent, with someone usually winding up with the short end of the rotation stick. But in their sole win against Barako Bull, Rain or Shine drew a lights-out performance from Beau Belga, in addition to 27 from Crews. But how likely is it for lightning to strike twice? Belga hasn't broken the 10-point mark before, or since. Phen-Omolon

AVERAGES	In Wins	In Losses
Points	18.00	5.50
Field goal percentage	64.29%	33.33%
Free throws attempted	6.33	1.50

When Air21 traded Denis Daa, Mark Canlas and a first-round pick for Nelbert Omolon and Mark Isip, they knew they were shoring up their scoring, but they probably didn't know they were getting a game-changer in Omolon. In their three wins, the former PCU Dolphin has been a scintillating shooter, flashing a mix of jumpers and attempts at the line. Conversely, Omolon was invisible in their two losses, meaning if Coach Guiao can minimize his impact, RoS might just get win number two. — JVP, GMA News