Games Wednesday (Araneta Coliseum)
5:00 p.m. — Barako Bull vs Rain or Shine
7:30 p.m. — San Miguel vs Talk ‘N Text

A team with lofty expectations, Rain or Shine has yet to win a game after faltering in its first three assignments in the PBA Philippine Cup.

But despite the team’s early struggles, the Elasto Painters’ mentor Caloy Garcia remains optimistic that things will get better soon and be competent in their bid to enter the Final Four of this all-Filipino tournament.

“We’re getting better,” Garcia said, a day after his team lost to Burger King, 91-89, Saturday night in the PBA road game presented by Phoenix Fuel held at the Arturo S. Lugod Gym, Gingoong City in Misamis Oriental.

It was Rain or Shine’s third straight defeat, joining Coca-Cola and guest team Smart-Gilas as teams that have yet to win in the Philippine Cup. The Painters' other setbacks were against defending champion Talk ‘N Text (76-85) and Sta. Lucia Realty (90-95 OT).

In the off-season, the Painters took Jervy Cruz and Marcy Arellano from the Rookie Draft, and added as well free agents Mark Telan, Mike Hrabak and Jeffrei Chan.

So far though, Garcia admitted that they are still trying to find the right combination when it comes to the new players playing with holdovers like last season’s Rookie of the Year Gabe Norwood, Sol Mercado, TY Tang, Ryan Araña, Jay-Arr Reyes, Eddie Laure and Don Dulay.

“We just have to look for the right combination and be consistent in defense,” Garcia said. “We lost the last two games that we could have won. It’s just the breaks of the game.”