Warning: Undefined variable $column_strips in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 78
Star, Mahindra collide for last playoff berth
Warning: Undefined variable $column_strips in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 153
Warning: Undefined variable $nocontent in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 236
Warning: Undefined variable $iscovid in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 239
Warning: Undefined variable $FEAT_STORIES in /var/www/pba/single2017/addfunction-ondemand-gitlab-taboola.php on line 685
Warning: foreach() argument must be of type array|object, bool given in /var/www/pba/single2017/addfunction-ondemand-gitlab-taboola.php on line 688
Warning: Undefined array key 0 in /var/www/pba/single2017/addfunction-ondemand-gitlab-taboola.php on line 730
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.
Warning: Undefined array key "TESTPAGE" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 254
Warning: Undefined array key "fb" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 280
Warning: Undefined variable $thinq in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 318
Warning: Undefined variable $var_sports_vlurb in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 328
Warning: Undefined variable $mindanaoQuake2019 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 442
Warning: Undefined variable $showSolicit_batanes in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 459
Warning: Undefined variable $seagames in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 475
Warning: Undefined variable $tokyoOlympics2020 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 481
Warning: Undefined variable $help_taal in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 490
Warning: Undefined variable $help_ompong in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 525
Warning: Undefined variable $elections_2019 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 538
Warning: Undefined variable $typhoon_2018_redirect in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 543
Warning: Undefined variable $ncov2020 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 555
Warning: Undefined variable $tyhoon2020_marthon in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 578
Warning: Undefined variable $dotnet23 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 585
Warning: Undefined variable $suicide in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 595
Warning: Undefined variable $yearend2020 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 600
Warning: Undefined array key "inqplus_test" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 609
Warning: Undefined array key "newreadnext" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 664
Warning: Undefined array key "test" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 802
EDITORS' PICK
Warning: Undefined variable $data_for_HompageFG_obj in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 816
Warning: foreach() argument must be of type array|object, null given in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 819
Warning: Undefined variable $MR_data_for_obj in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 850
Warning: foreach() argument must be of type array|object, null given in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 850
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.
Warning: Undefined variable $bc_tag in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 1239
