-
-
-
SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
-
-
-
-
05
-
05
-
2024
-
SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
05
05
2024
Time and again, Purefoods Star faced tough adversities and survived in its “Four-Peat” run.
The Hotshots have to do it all over again in the 2015 PBA Philippine Cup.
Missing the Top Six at the end of the single round elims, the Hotshots face the sixth-seeded Meralco Bolts, needing to win two in a row to survive the first stage of the quarterfinals phase.
And if they do make it, the Hotshots are likely to run into third seed Alaska in a knockout battle for the right to challenge No. 2 Rain or Shine in the semifinals.
Coach Tim Cone is not looking far ahead, saying they will deal with what’s in front of them.
Purefoods Star and Meralco clash at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Cuneta Astrodome.
“I’m not a fan of the quotient tiebreak system. But we have to deal with this and we’ll try to win Thursday to force a knockout game,” said Cone.
The Hotshots capped a roller-coaster ride in the elims with a 99-83 shellacking of the Barako Bull Energy Tuesday. Later in the night, Meralco drubbed GlobalPort, 82-70, to forge a three-way tie at fifth place among the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, the Hotshots and the Bolts. Upon the application of the “quotient rule,” Ginebra gained No. 5 spot, Meralco No. 6 and Purefoods No. 7.
With much respect to Purefoods, Meralco coach Norman Black said they need all the advantage that they could have against the defending champs.
In the elims, Purefoods repulsed Meralco, 77-74.
Needless to say, the Hotshots suffered on their 1-3 start in the tourney that they ruled versus the Elasto Painters last year.
But the Hotshots have gotten into the groove, winning five of their last seven games.
Meralco has also built momentum for the playoffs, winning its last two games in the elims versus Kia and GlobalPort.
In terms of roster strength, Purefoods may have the edge with its core of James Yap, Joe Devance, PJ Simon, Marc Pingris, Mark Barroca, Rafi Reavis, Yousef Taha, Justin Melton, Alex Mallari plus new recruit Mick Pennisi.
Meralco, meanwhile, will bank on gutsy players Cliff Hodge, Jared Dillinger, Sean Anthony, John Wilson and old reliables Reynel Hugnatan, Gary David, Danny Ildefonso, Mark Macapagal and Mike Cortez. (SB)
Follow Us
Other Stories:
Recent Stories:
Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines.