Burger King, Purefoods press bids

MANILA, Philippines - Three of six teams remaining in the hunt for the second outright seat in the semifinals figure in an exciting doubleheader in the Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference at the Astrodome today.

Burger King and Purefoods clash in the 4 p.m. curtain-raiser then Sta. Lucia Realty tangle with first semifinal qualifier San Miguel Beer at 6:30 p.m.

The Whoppers, the Giants and the Realtors, along with the Talk n Text Tropang Texters, have identical 7-6 win-loss cards. Each team needs to win their closing game in the classification round to keep their hopes for a playoff crack at the second outright semis seat.

With a 7-5 win-loss card, Barangay Ginebra has a better chance of gaining the second automatic semis berth, needing only to sweep its last two games to do it.

The Kings were up against the Alaska Milk Aces in a PBA Phoenix Fuel on Tour match in Legazpi, Albay last night but the contest was postponed due to unplayable (slippery) floor at the Legazpi Astrodome.

Ginebra was ahead, 9-2, with just a little over two minutes into the game when league officials decided to stop the game for the safety of the players.

The Kings clinch the second automatic semis berth should they sweep their last two games. But a playoff ensues if Ginebra loses even one game.

Rain or Shine, which finished its preliminary round stint with an 8-6 record, is another team chasing a playoff.

San Miguel Beer put the lock on the first semis berth following a 99-92 victory over Barako Bull Friday.

The Realtors whipped the Giants, 104-95, a day earlier to wheel back into contention for a playoff.

“We have a tough task to give ourselves an automatic semis entry. We don’t look that far. We’ll concentrate on our game against San Miguel,” said Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez.