Kings eye Automatic semis slot vs Aces

MANILA, Philippines - Barangay Ginebra, chasing a second straight championship in the import-reinforced tourney, tries to make a big stride towards achieving that goal as it goes for an outright semifinals seat against Alaska Milk at the close of the Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference classification round at the Araneta Coliseum today.

The Kings tangle with the Aces at 7:30 p.m., gunning for an eighth straight win and a 9-5 win-loss card for a chance to join the San Miguel Beermen in the semifinal round.

But it could well be a real battle as the Aces are also determined to win their last game in the classification round in pursuit of the last spot in the knockout pairings in the wildcard phase.

The Coca-Cola Tigers, locked in neck-and-neck race for the No. 8 spot with the Aces, tackle the Beermen in the other game.

Today’s playdate provides a fitting climax to a very exciting classification round with a double-playoff looming before the final placing among 10 teams is known.

Victories by Alaska and Coca-Cola will create a three-way tie at second place among Ginebra, Rain or Shine and Burger King and a two-way tie at eighth between the Aces and the Tigers.

“We’re definitely going all out to get win No. 9 to avoid a playoff,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.

“Both teams need to win the game to achieve their respective goals, so it’s going to be a battle,” Uichico said.

“We’ve been looking to get things going for us. We got a crucial win and, hopefully, this serves as a springboard for us. We’re looking to build momentum which we could use in the playoffs,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone after eking out a 122-115 overtime win over Talk n Text Wednesday.

Alaska drew level with Coca-Cola at eighth after the Tigers suffered a big blowout at the hands of the Kings on the same night.

Both the Aces and the Tigers are trying to avoid finishing at No. 9, which will require them twice-to-win task to make it to the quarterfinals.

Having sealed their places are San Miguel at No. 1, Talk n Text, Purefoods and Sta. Lucia at 5-7 and Barako Bull at No. 10.

The top two teams gain outright entry into the semis, the next two face teams No. 9 and No. 10 with a twice-to-beat advantage, and teams No. 5 and No. 6 play teams No. 8 and No. 7 in a one-game knockout.