4 teams start bid in cutthroat playoffs

MANILA, Philippines - The KFC PBA Philippine Cup playoffs begin today at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo with four teams clashing in the initial stage of the tough wildcard plays to determine which team gets the last slot in the quarterfinals.

Sta. Lucia Realty mixes it up with Rain or Shine at 4 p.m. then Coca-Cola slugs it out with Burger King at 6:30 p.m. in Day One of the playoffs leading to the best-of-seven championship in late February or early March.

Landing in the lower half of the chart at the close of the double-round eliminations, the Realtors, the Elasto Painters, the Tigers and the Whoppers are now all after a backdoor entry to the quarters.

Only one of them will remain alive by Wednesday, gaining a crack at the semifinal round versus No. 3 seed Purefoods.

“The good thing about the tournament format is that you have a good chance to go all the way for as long as you’re not eliminated,” said Burger King coach Yeng Guiao.

The three other teams are also hopeful of their chances, including the Elasto Painters although they fared poorly in the elims, getting only four wins against 14 defeats.

In the first stage of the wildcard, the Elasto Painters are ranged against a Sta. Lucia team which narrowly missed an outright quarters berth with a 10-8 slate.

“Wildcard games are tough. Rain or Shine is a dangerous opponent but we have put the elims behind us and we’re looking forward to beat them,” said Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez.

Sta. Lucia beat Rain or Shine in two close games in the elims, scoring a 95-90 decision on Oct. 21 then repeating with a 95-91 win on Jan. 6.

The Elasto Painters have lost all their last four games, including a 94-95 heart-breaker to the Alaska Milk Aces Friday.

Coca-Cola and Burger King, meanwhile, split their two games in the elims with the Whoppers notching a 106-97 victory on Nov. 18 and the Tigers getting even at 106-94 on Dec. 13.

“We have to sustain our momentum in this crucial game. BK is tough but we are prepared and definitely aware of the consequences,” said Coca-Cola coach Bo Perasol.

“The Burger King-Coke battle is very interesting. We got involved in a trade deal that have made both teams better. The game will involve a lot of pride,” said Guiao.

Gary David and Chico Lanete are now with Coke while Alex Cabagnot and Wesley Gonzales are with BK.

“Wesley and Alex are blending well with us. We’re getting better with these two guys,” Guiao said.