But all these could change in a snap when FedEx goes all out against Group A leader Sta. Lucia Realty today hoping for a victory that would keep its quarterfinal hopes alive in the PBA Reinforced Conference at the Makati Coliseum.
The Express, however, must get import Terrence Shannon to play harder than usual and hope that Vergel Meneses could suit up for a team out to check a skid including a 84-90 loss to Purefoods last Wednesday in a game it should have won.
FedEx, which is to face tough Alaska (4-6) next after Sta. Lucia, has missed the services of Vergel Meneses, out for two games now due to a pulled hamstring on his left leg, and that cost the Express about 13 markers, three rebounds and three assists per match.
Shannon would be an important factor for FedEx, currently tied with Purefoods at fourth spot with a 3-8 (win-loss) slate and a shade behind Alaska and San Miguel (4-7), if it wants to realize its goal of making the quarters.
The reed-thin import was totally overshadowed by his counterpart–a talented youngster in 21-year-old Lenny Cooke–in Fedex’s setback to Purefoods after finishing with only 15 points in 43 minutes he was on the court.
Shannon will need to match, if not surpass, his norm of 26.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.1 blocks per game against the Realtors, who were the first to make the next round in Group after piling up six triumphs in 10 outings.
Also in today’s featured games is the match between Red Bull Barako and eliminated Shell.
The Barako are one of the four teams in the other group who are assured of berths in the quarterfinals with a 8-2 record, the other three being red-hot Coca-Cola (11-1), Talk N Text (6-5) and Barangay Ginebra (6-5).
Shell, for its part, bowed out of contention with a 3-8 card.