Star takes on Mahindra to bolster twice-to-beat bid
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Starting the conference 0-2, only a few thought that Star would stand a chance in the playoffs.
Eight games later, and the Hotshots are a win away from achieving the improbable and secure the second twice-to-beat incentive in the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals.
Star ends its eliminations schedule against a dangerous Mahindra squad Wednesday at Cuneta Astrodome with heavy playoff implications at stake.
Game time is at 4:15 p.m.
A win would give the Hotshots their seventh win in 11 games, but for the team to formally gain the top two squad, they must first await Alaska’s fate in the final game of the eliminations hoping for a Rain or Shine win.
Coach Chito Victolero believes that his players have shown enough hunger to pull off the feat as Star seeks to extend its three-game winning run.
“I challenged my players that we need to be mentally tough. I know my players are veterans and yung mga ganitong laro, I’m very confident na they will step up,” he said.
A loss won’t really be too costly, though, as the Hotshots’ superior quotient secures their finish to as low as third-seed.
Still, a twice-to-beat incentive is a better option than going on a best-of-3 series, and Victolero expects nothing but the best from his crew.
However, the Floodbuster aren’t ready to roll over and die as coach Chris Gavina and his wards eye to end a disastrous conference on a good note as they look forward to the 2017 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
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