Game Wednesday (Ynares Sports Center, Antipolo City)
7 p.m. — Rain or Shine vs Coca-Cola

The first time Coca-Cola clashed with Rain or Shine, veteran center Asi Taulava was not around.

Without the 6-foot-10 Taulava to defend the middle, the Tigers were easily beaten by the Elasto Painters, 92-84.

But with the return of Taulava and the acquisition of former Rain or Shine assistant coach Alex Compton and prolific forward Gary David, the Tigers got back at the Elasto Painters, 105-83.

The Tigers hope to follow-up that big win when they clash with the Elasto Painters for the last quarterfinal berth in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup this Wednesday at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.

The lone game between the seventh seeded Tigers and the ninth seeded Painters is set at 7 p.m.

Coke and Rain or Shine arranged this KO encounter following their wildcard victories last Sunday with the former beating No. 8 Burger King (118-112) while the latter stunned No. 7 Sta. Lucia (90-86) Sunday night.

The winner of this knockout game will face No. 3 Purefoods TJ Hotdogs in a best-of-five quarterfinals series. Defending champion and No. 5 Talk ’N Text meets No. 6 Barangay Ginebra in the other quarterfinal showdown.

Already waiting in the best-of-seven semi-final series are Alaska and San Miguel Beer, the top two finishers after the two-round classification.

Compton was a big help for coach Bo Perasol since he’ familiar with the players and system of Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia.

Taulava had 14 points with 14 rebounds for the Tigers, who controlled the boards, 65-42, and forced the Painters to shoot 29-of-87 or 33.3 percent from the field.