Meralco shoots for first place vs Ginebra
Meralco tries to complete a 360-degree turnaround from last place in the recent Philippine Cup to first place in the Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup elimination round when it tangles with Barangay Ginebra at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night.
Already assured of a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals, the Bolts vow to still go all out versus the Gin Kings in their 7 p.m. duel in pursuit of top seeding in the Final Eight.
Never in the history of the Meralco franchise has the team topped the elims.
“We’ll go for that. Bahala na who we play in the quarterfinals,” said Meralco coach Norman Black.
It’s a big game as Meralco goes for a milestone while Ginebra looks to seal a spot in the Top Six.
A win by the Gin Kings guarantees them of at least a berth in the best-of-three quarterfinals. Or they could get a playoff crack at No. 2 spot on tiebreaks.
“It will be interesting to see what happens when statistically the best two defensive teams in the elimination round collide,” said Black.
“We want to play sound defense, but it may be our offensive execution versus their defense that will make the difference. Their size will be a major factor and we must keep them off the offensive board,” Black also said.
The Bolts seek a closing 9-2 win-loss card while the Kings chase a 7-4 mark.
Meralco secured the coveted quarters advantage in a 107-101 spanking of Alaska Milk Friday.
Ginebra, meanwhile, got back into contention for the Top Six as the Kings walloped the San Miguel Beermen, 110-84, in their last outing. In their previous game, the Kings were clobbered by the Tropang TNT Texters, 92-107.
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