Former captain Mamuyac quickly reunites with Rain or Shine in Phoenix clash

Gian Mamuyac won't have to wait long to see familiar faces again.

Just five days after his surprising departure from Rain or Shine, the former Elasto Painters captain will square off against his old team when Phoenix Super LPG battles Rain or Shine in a Group A matchup of the PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup at the Ynares Center.

While Phoenix aims to extend its unbeaten start to four games and Rain or Shine hunts for its first victory of the conference, the spotlight naturally falls on Mamuyac's first meeting with the franchise that drafted and developed him.

Tiger Scores365 sportsbook has installed the Fuel Masters as 3.5-point favorites, with the game's over/under pegged at 218.0.

The highly anticipated encounter comes on the heels of last Thursday's blockbuster trade that sent Mamuyac to Phoenix in exchange for a future first-round draft pick after contract negotiations with Rain or Shine reached an impasse.

The Elasto Painters have struggled in the immediate aftermath of the move, dropping a 122-114 decision to Meralco last weekend to fall to 0-2.

Head coach Yeng Guiao admitted the team has tried to keep its attention on basketball rather than dwelling on the trade.

"We try to avoid talking too much about it kasi nagiging distraction siya," 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."

Mamuyac, meanwhile, acknowledged the challenge of adjusting to a new environment but said he is focused on making the most of his opportunity with Phoenix. He made his debut in the Fuel Masters' narrow 81-78 win over Barangay Ginebra, finishing with six points, three assists, one rebound, and one block in 18 minutes.

Sentiment, however, will take a back seat once the game begins.

"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," Mamuyac said.

The day's curtain-raiser at 5:15 p.m. will see Blackwater take on Meralco. Although the Bossing have opened the conference with back-to-back victories over Rain or Shine and Magnolia, Tiger Scores365 lists them as 4.0-point underdogs against the unbeaten Bolts, with the over/under at 216.0.