It is a clash between teams desperate to arrest their respective slides as Rain or Shine and Blackwater tangle in the 2023 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Saturday, Dec. 2.

Tip-off of the clash is at 8 p.m. with the Elasto Painters hoping to finally find the winning formula after five-straight losses while the Bossing aiming an end to a four-game slump after opening the conference with a win.

Also looking to finally barge into the win column after four-straight losses is Converge when it takes on a red-hot Phoenix in the curtain raiser at 4 p.m.

No team has the momentum whatsoever on its side heading into the contest but the Elasto Painters have shown that it has the tools to get over the hump following back-to-back career performances from two of its young guns in Andrei Caracut and Gian Mamuyac.

Caracut had 35 points against Ginebra while Mamuyac wound up with 33 against San Miguel – both games Rain or Shine narrowly lost by five points, a testament to the Yeng Guiao-mentored squads ability to hold its own against the top teams.

A cause of concern, however, for Rain or Shine is its import woes as Guiao hopes new reinforcement Demetrius Treadwell to put up better performance on the offensive end after scoring just eight points, although he had 15 boards in his debut.

“There’s still room for improvement. Naramdaman niya kung ano yung kailangan nyang gawin para manalo yung team. He will understand it better after this game (loss to SMB), mainitindihan niya kung ano iyong kailang gawin ng import,” said Guiao.

Of course, standing in its way is Blackwater which is just as equally determined to finally win after some close losses against Ginebra, Phoenix and Meralco. 

Just like Rain or Shine, Blackwater showed that it can go toe-to-toe against stronger teams and it just couldn’t execute in the end game. Leading the charge for the Bossing is import Chris Ortiz along with a formidable local crew that featured Jvee Casio, Troy Rosario and Rey Suerte.