Rain or Shine’s Mark Telan (left) and Gabe Norwood block the shot of Coca-Cola's Chris Ross during PBA action last Wednesday at the Ynares gym in Antipolo. The Elasto Painters won, 99-84. (Photo by ALI VICOY)

Games Friday (Araneta Coliseum)
5 p.m. — Purefoods vs Rain or Shine
7:30 p.m. — Ginebra vs Talk ’N Text

Inspired by its two knockout wins, Rain or Shine is all pumped up even against the powerhouse Purefoods.

“No rest,” said Rain or Shine sophomore wingman Gabe Norwood after their win over Coca-Cola Wednesday.

But against the taller Purefoods squad, Norwood admits they have to bring their game to another level today to advance to the semis of the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup.

The Elasto Painters, who finished fourth the last time, and the Giants clash at 5 p.m.

Defending champion Talk ’N Text squares off with Ginebra in the other quarterfinal pairing at 7:30 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Elasto Painters, the No. 9 seed in the playoffs, stunned No. 6 Sta. Lucia Realty, 90-86, in the first round of the knockout wildcard, and then dominated No. 7 Coca-Cola in a 99-84 win Wednesday night in Antipolo City to clinch the last quarterfinal slot.

Purefoods, Ginebra and Talk ’N Text earned automatic berths in the quarters and are seeded third fourth and fifth, respectively. Alaska Milk and San Miguel Beer are already waiting in the Final Four after finishing 1-2 at the end of classification.

Purefoods won twice against Rain or Shine in the classification round, 103-69, last Nov. 15 and 101-88, last Jan. 10.

Despite their convincing wins against the Elasto Painters, the Giants can’t afford to relax since the team owned by Raymund Yu and Terry Que were impressive in their last three games, including a 95-94 defeat to the Aces.

“We have to sustain the momentum of our past wins. Purefoods is a very dangerous team because of its height advantage,” said Que.

“They have six players standing more than 6-foot-5, but I’m confident we will give them a good fight,” said Yu.

Even Purefoods mentor Ryan Gregorio is wary against the Painters of coach Caloy Garcia, saying: “I always felt that their 4-14 mark at the end of the elims is not an indicator of their real roster power.”

“True enough, they played to their true potential and survived two KO games and enter the quarters despite having the lowest seed at No. 9,” he added.

What concerns Gregorio is the way second year playmaker Sol Mercado is performing the past three games averaging 27 points, while Norwood provides steady leadership and the supporting cast stepping up in crucial moments.

But for Gregorio, they just have to trust their team defense.

So far, Purefoods is the top defensive team this all-Filipino conference, holding down opponents to 83.50 points through 18 games.

There’s also the fatigue factor against Rain or Shine, and Gregorio said, “I hope that our fresh legs would be a big advantage against a tired team.”

As for Garcia, he said that Rain or Shine players “just have to work with the strengths in what we are doing. The players have to step up in this series and the bench players will be the factor.”