Alaska tries to nail semis seat vs Air21

Alaska Milk goes for an outright semifinal seat when it battles Air21 even as Coca-Cola and Red Bull clash in a virtual knockout duel for the last slot in the wildcard round in a crucial doubleheader in the KFC PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo today.

The Aces have lost their last two games but superior quotient in a possible tie with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and the Talk n Text Tropang Texters on top will assure the team automatic passage into the semis should they beat the Express in their 7:30 p.m. face-off.

Despite back-to-back losses to Red Bull and Ginebra, Alaska remains in the lead with a 10-6 win-loss card although Rain or Shine and Talk n Text have narrowed the gap at 10-7.

Should the three teams finish tied at 11-7, the Aces, with a superior quotient, gain the No. 1 placing with the Elasto Painters and the Tropang Texters left to dispute No. 2 on a playoff.

Air21 is in the middle of the pack with an even 8-8 slate. The Express need to sweep their last two games to get a crack at the Magic Five or an outright seat in the quarterfinals.

“Big game for both teams. The two teams always play with contrasting styles. It really comes down to who can control the tempo,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone.

“All of us understand the importance of winning this game. Everybody is still adjusting with Don Allado’s presence and Ranidel de Ocampo’s departure,” said Air21 coach Bo Perasol.

Allado suits up with the Express for the first time today after his transfer from Talk n Text in exchange for De Ocampo.

De Ocampo had his contribution in his first game as a Talk n Text player, helping the Tropang Texters pull off a 109-85 rout of the Ginebra Kings Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Equally important is the other game pitting two teams looking to avoid early elimination in the tourney.