Three teams figure in crucial matches

MANILA, Philippines - The campaigns for an outright semifinal seat, a quarterfinal berth and for sheer survival spice up the two matches tonight as the double-round elimination phase of the PBA Fiesta Conference enters its final week.

Talk n Text, Barako Energy Coffee, Barangay Ginebra and B-MEG Derby Ace will clash in a double-header at the Araneta Coliseum wherein the results will have an impact in the race for outright semis berth, automatic quarters slot and the final cut.

The Tropang Texters and the Energy Coffee Masters clash at 5 p.m. then the Kings and the Llamados slug it out at 7:30 p.m., kicking off the final week made up of seven crucial matches.

Derby Ace is pushing its outright semis aspiration, Ginebra is out to clinch a seat in the quarters, Barako is fighting for life while Talk n Text, the first semis qualifier, is looking to end its elims stint with a victory.

“We play Barako in a game we can’t afford to take lightly. It’s important to end on a winning note,” said coach Chot Reyes whose team’s 13-game record run came to an end versus Derby Ace on Saturday in Tacloban.

Derby Ace, a team hot on a four-game romp, must keep on winning to gain a shot at the second outright seat in the semis.

The Llamados, with an 11-5 win-loss record, are locked in a tough fight with the San Miguel Beermen (12-5) and the Alaska Aces (11-6) for the No. 2 seat.

The Kings, at 9-8, need to win their last game to clinch the No. 5 spot for an outright entry into the quarters.

“This (Derby Ace-Ginebra) game will define our chances,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.

“It’s truly an important game for us in our pursuit of the second seed. We are upbeat knowing that our fate is still within our control but we have to take care of our own business,” said Derby Ace coach Ryan Gregorio.

“We have primed ourselves up for this opportunity and we will certainly make sure that tremendous effort is rendered in our game against Ginebra,” Gregorio said.

The Kings have been relegated to the fight for No. 5 spot after losing four of their last five games.

The Ginebra coaching staff stayed in their locker room for over an hour after a sorry loss to Air21 last Sunday.

The Llamados are aware the Kings are aching to regain their winning ways.

“Ginebra, with a re-tooled roster comparable in talent to the mighty Texters and the awesome Beermen, will always be a dangerous foe specially because it also badly needs a victory,” said Gregorio.

“The challenge against Ginebra is how to prepare against their whole team. With a team packed with explosive scorers and players who can just light it up, it is imperative that our defense will be solid the whole game,” Gregorio said.