COMMON TARGET
SAN Mig Coffee and Meralco have practically woven the same tale in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
Their threads go separate ways 5:15 p.m. Friday when the streaking Mixers and the Bolts battle at the Smart Araneta Coliseum for the second seeding in the season-ending tourney’s quarterfinals phase.
Victor of the match would emerge from the nine-game eliminations with a 6-3 slate, putting it just behind leader and guaranteed QF top seed Petron Blaze.
The loser would be relegated to 5-4, in a tie with Rain or Shine and must face the complications such a record entails.
Both teams are actually assured of seats in the quarterfinals, but a slot among the top four carries with it a twice-to-beat advantage over those belonging to the lower half of the last eight.
As of now, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and Alaska also have a shot at reaching five wins. To resolve such ties, the PBA quotient would be used to determine which takes No. 3 and the two playing off Monday for No. 4.
No wonder both San Mig and Meralco are bracing for what promises to be a very gripping match.
“We are bracing ourselves for a tough match against San Mig because we have the same mission,” said Bolts coach Ryan Gregorio.
“They recovered after a 1-3 start and they have won four straight,” added Gregorio, whose own team also launched its campaign at 1-2.
“We have to break their rhythm with defense as our main weapon. We have to score. If we are to go deep in the playoffs our offensive efficiency must be as strong as our defensive intensity.”
The same thoughts are shared by San Mig coach Tim Cone.
“The second seed would be a nice position to nestle into, especially after our poor start to this conference. But Meralco is in the same boat and they’re playing as well as anyone outside of Petron,” said Cone.
“It will be a tough game, no doubt. We’ll have to be at our best.” (NC)
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
