PBA BACK IN ACTION AFTER 8-DAY BREATHER; DOUBLE-HEADER DUEL UP FOR A SHOW

After an eight-day breather, the PBA hardcourt action will be back this Friday, Nov. 4.

Bay Area Dragons and Meralco Bolts bang to duel in an opener at 3 p.m., while the Northport Batang Pier and Rain or Shine will return in action at 5:45 to improve their race to the playoffs of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

Both main duelers are practically in a must-win situation as they are tottering on the fringes of the Top Eight in a tie with TNT Tropang Giga at 3-4.

As they slug it out at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the winner gains with an improvement to an even slate while the loser slides to join the 10th place with the Blackwater Bossing.

Coach Yeng Guiao and Pido Jarencio admitted that their teams have much to work on to join the leaders in standing.

Guiao said winning games must start fast to commit their team to a contender composure, noting the Elasto Painters have dropped three of their last four outings, while the Batang Pier has suffered back-to-back losses.

Guiao said they need to draw more effort from their hustling import Steve Taylor Jr. to establish their presence in the hard court.

Meanwhile, the Batang Pier cannot afford more losses due to the absence of their shooting forward Arwind Santos, and reliable scorer Robert Bolick, who are both fighting health concerns.

Coach Pido Jarencio, meantime, said they have to put pressure on their import Prince Ibeh in asserting their hard presence in both offense and defense.