Tigers, Kings seek passage to q'finals

MANILA, Philippines - Powerade and Barangay Ginebra try to formalize their entry into the quarterfinals versus opponents out to improve their positions atop the chart in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today.

The Tigers take on the Meralco Bolts at 5:15 p.m. while the Kings tangle with the Petron Blaze Boosters at 7:30 p.m.

The Tigers and the Kings both seek victory No. 6 that will assure them of slots in the quarterfinals and dash the playoff hopes of the Alaska Milk Aces.

Petron and Meralco, however, will surely not give it to Powerade and Ginebra on a silver platter with both also hard pressed to win to boost their bids for good seeding in the playoffs.

The Boosters try to step up their chase for a twice-to-beat incentive, gunning for a seventh straight win versus the on-and-off Kings.

“The goal is to clinch twice-to-beat whether at first place or at second,” said Petron coach Ato Agustin.

“It’s important we start playing consistently and make a good run on our last four games,” said Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen.

The Bolts, meanwhile, go for solo fourth place in tackling the roaring Tigers.

“We are battling for a good position heading to the playoffs. With two games left in our schedule, we are determined to have a good placing in the middle of the pack and if it is enough to push us up to first or second, perfect,” said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio.

“Although we are happy with the way we played in our last two games, we know that our game against Meralco is another playing field. We understand the challenge,” said Powerade coach Bo Perasol.

The Tigers moved a win shy of the quarterfinals with their amazing back-to-back routs of the Shopinas.com Clickers and the Talk n Text Tropang Texters.

“Powerade is always a dangerous foe. If you lack the intensity on defense, they can pummel you with no mercy, the very same way they beat Talk n Text by over 30,” said Gregorio.

“One this is certain, we can’t play them with just offense in mind. We want to dictate the tempo by counting stops and limiting their fast break attacks,” Gregorio added.

Needless to say, Gary David is on Meralco’s defensive radar.