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Mahindra Enforcers 116
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GlobalPort Batang Pier 118
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Mahindra tries to boost playoff chances vs GlobalPort

kia vs global pringle

The door to a first-ever playoffs stint remains open for Mahindra and the Enforcers are out to do everything they can to squeeze through.

First, however, Mahindra must hurdle a GlobalPort team that has its own burning agenda in a Petron-sponsored Saturday doubleheader of the Smart Bro-PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Despite already being assured of a quarterfinals spot the Batang Pier are dead-set on claiming one of the top six slots at the end of the 11-game eliminations and could cement that claim should they prevail Saturday and against TNT on Friday.

While the top two teams are rewarded automatic semifinals berths those ranked third to sixth would be given a win-once advantage each in their matchups with those seeded seventh to 10th in the first phase of the quarterfinals.

Mahindra would be content with a simple inclusion among the teams advancing to the playoffs, something playing-coach Manny Pacquiao’s team has failed to do in its first three conferences with the league last season.

Wins by the Enforcers over the Batang Pier and Blackwater next Sunday should give them their goal.

“Crucial game. Mas kailangan namin iyung game kaysa sa GlobalPort,” was how the man who calls the shots for the Enforcers began summing up the game.

“We need to have the proper mindset, especially on defense. We need to limit their scores under 94 points,” added Victolero. “We also have to play solid basketball for 48 minutes and finish the game stronger.”

That is one thing Mahindra failed to do in its last match against Star, wasting a gallant effort and a three-point lead in the last two minutes and ultimately bowing 96-104.

The Hotshots’ guards were largely credited with their win and now Mahindra would be ranged against the league’s best backcourt tandem of Terrence Romeo and Stanley Pringle, who usually combine for more than 42 points, 11 rebounds and six assists an outing.

Romeo alone should prove to be a handful, averaging a scorching 29.3 points in the Batang Pier’s last three games, including 33 in a 108-104.

LA Revilla is a doubtful starter due to a suspected pulled thigh muscle, but Mahindra’s arsenal, led by Aldrech Ramos, Karl Dehesa, KG Canaleta and Mark Yee, should still prove enough.

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