Star, Mahindra collide for last playoff berth
THE prospects in the next round look bleak, but for Star and Mahindra just getting there could open up a lot of possibilities.
That is why expect fireworks when the Hotshots and Enforcers collide Wednesday for the last quarterfinals slot in the Oppo-PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The berth carries with it a twice-to-win handicap against either of the top two seeds in the quarterfinals, but that would be taken care of in due time.
The business at hand is to qualify.
“We’re hoping the team is able to perform to our beat tomorrow,” said Star coach Jason Webb on the eve of the match. “We know it won’t be easy, but the team is ready to battle to make it to the playoffs.”
Webb, tapped before the season to replace Tim Cone, already had a taste of the quarterfinals in the season-opening Philippine Cup, but got shown the door by Barangay Ginebra in just one game.
Mahindra has never been in the playoffs and this is the closest it has come thus far.
Chito Victolero, who calls the shots in lieu of playing-coach Manny Pacquiao, wants his Enforcers to lay it all on the line Wednesday.
“All of our sacrifices, painful losses, magandang panalo, all the good and bad experiences that we’ve gained this conference, it boils down to one game,” the former Mapua standout pointed out.
“We need to give it all in this game,” Victolero added. “We know we’re the underdog in this game because of the talent and experience of Star, but sometimes in a do-or-die game the desire and will to win is very important to make up for the underdog situation that we are in.”
What could even things up is the fact star Hotshot James Yap remains doubtful due to the calf injury he sustained last March 27.
That leaves Webb with Ricardo Ratliffe, Marc Pingris, Allein Maliksi, Mark Barroca and PJ Simon to mainly carry the load.
For its part, Mahindra has chiefly relied on Augustus Gilchrist, but the help and support provided by the likes of Nino Canaleta, Aldrech Ramos, LA Revilla and Karl Dehesa should prove indispensable.
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.
