Games on Friday
(Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
5:15 p.m. – Terrafirma vs Meralco
7:30 p.m. – Titan vs Rain or Shine
THERE’S only one available Top 4 spot and twice-to-beat advantage in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoffs left and among those in pursuit, Meralco enjoys the inside track.
So expect the fourth-running Bolts (7-3) to make the most out of it and go full-battle mode as they seek the clincher to the sought-for win-once bonus on Friday against eliminated Terrafirma (4-7) at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
“We know how important it is to get the Top 4,” said veteran guard Chris Banchero. “We’ve been on the outside for the last few conferences, so to get into the Top 4 would be a huge boost for our team.”
NLEX already sealed its position as No. 1 with its 10-2 record, with second-running Barangay Ginebra (8-3) and third-running Rain or Shine (ROS) (8-3) also virtually assured of the quarterfinal incentives whatever happens due to superior quotients.
Meralco can join the club if it takes care of business at 5:15 p.m. Otherwise, the Bolts would still need to beat tough Magnolia (6-5) on Sunday to claim the Last-8 edge.
“One game at a time, we’re locked in on Terrafirma,” said Bolts coach Luigi Trillo after his charges waylaid Blackwater, 108-93, to stay in play for the Magic 4.
It’s a no-bearing outing for the Dyip, who virtually bombed out of the playoffs race with a 110-126 loss to San Miguel last Wednesday.
But that doesn’t mean the squad would be lacking in motivation. Taking down a contender like Meralco, for sure, makes for a positive end to the campaign that Terrafirma could use as a confidence booster and momentum for the third conference.
Meanwhile, ROS aims to halt a two-game skid in its elims closeout gig against exit-bound Titan Ultra (2-9) before shifting to the Last 8.
“This is where you’re benefiting from a good start. We had a seven-game winning streak. Now, we have a margin for error. We still have one game to take our ninth win and that’s against Titan,” said Elasto Painters mentor Yeng Guiao. — Olmin Leyba
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