Mamuyac set for first showdown against former team Rain or Shine

Only five days after being traded, Gian Mamuyac is set to face his former team as Phoenix Super LPG takes on Rain or Shine in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Governors' Cup on Wednesday at the Ynares Center.

The Group A clash, scheduled for 7:30 p.m., pits the unbeaten Fuel Masters against the winless Elasto Painters, but all eyes will be on Mamuyac as he meets the franchise he spent the first years of his PBA career with.

According to Tiger Score sportsbook, Phoenix enters the game as a 3.5-point favorite over Rain or Shine, with the over/under set at 218.0.

The matchup comes less than a week after Rain or Shine dealt its former team captain to Phoenix in exchange for a future first-round draft pick after both sides failed to reach an agreement on a new contract.

The trade appeared to leave the Elasto Painters searching for answers as they absorbed their second straight defeat, falling to Meralco, 122-114, last Saturday.

"We try to avoid talking too much about it kasi nagiging distraction siya," Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao said.

"Even sa dugout, we try not to discuss 'yung nakaraan or 'yung sitwasyon kay Mamu. Gusto naming maging masaya siya roon, at maging masaya kami sa nilalaro namin," he added.

Mamuyac admitted the transition has not been easy but said he is embracing a fresh start with Phoenix, which welcomed him with an 81-78 victory over Barangay Ginebra to improve to 3-0.

In his Fuel Masters debut, the former No. 5 overall pick contributed six points, one rebound, three assists, and one block in 18 minutes off the bench.

Despite the emotions surrounding the game, Mamuyac expects a fierce battle from his former teammates.

"I expect them to go hard. Ganun naman talaga sa Rain or Shine, mga bata ni Coach Yeng. I expect nothing less. Siyempre, competitors kami. Pagdating sa court, once the ball goes up, wala munang kaibigan," he said.

The opening game at 5:15 p.m. features Blackwater and Meralco, with the Bolts looking to remain unbeaten through three games.

Blackwater enters the contest after consecutive wins over Rain or Shine and Magnolia but is listed as a four-point underdog against Meralco by Tiger Score, with the over/under set at 216.0.