KINGS, BATANG PIER BATTLE FOR OUTRIGHT QF PASSAGE
Both gaining a big break on Rain or Shine’s win over Talk n Text Wednesday, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and GlobalPort now have to help themselves in a crucial faceoff Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Kings and the Batang Pier secured outright playoff shots at the eighth and last PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals berth as the Elasto Painters withstood the Tropang Texters, 104-102.
Ginebra and GlobalPort fight for automatic quarters passage as they slug it out at 7:30 p.m. in the penultimate playdate of the short one-round-robin elimination phase.
At 3-4, the Kings are also out to stay in the running for the Top Four and a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
They gain a crack at the fourth spot in the quarters with a sweep of their last two games versus the Batang Pier and the Talk n Text Tropang Texters.
“Of course, hahabulin namin ang twice-to-beat advantage. Malaking bentahe yon para makarating sa semifinals,” said Ginebra coach Ato Agustin.
Meanwhile, the Batang Pier must beat the Kings if they’re to avoid any complication or any tie for the last slot in the quarters.
At 3-5, Globalport is on the verge of making its first playoff appearance in the league.
The Batang Pier automatically gain playoff entry with a win Friday or losses by the Air21 Express and the Tropang Texters at the close of the elims Sunday.
“It’s a big opportunity and we have to grab it,” said GlobalPort coach Junel Baculi.
A loss may send them to a do-or-die battle with either the Express or the Texters.
For the Kings, a worst scenario is a playoff for fourth spot if they sweep their last two games in the elims.
In the last four games of the elims, San Mig Coffee (5-3), Meralco (5-3), Rain or Shine (5-4), Alaska (4-4) and Ginebra (3-4) are the teams still battling for the three remaining seats in the Magic Four.
Safe at No. 1 with a twice-to-beat advantage versus the would-be eighth seed in the quarterfinals is Petron Blaze. (SB)
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.
