Wide-open race for playoffs looms

MANILA, Philippines - Powerade and Alaska Milk battle for a guaranteed playoff shot at the quarterfinals while Meralco and Air21 fight to stay alive as the PBA Commissioner’s Cup elimination round hits its final week at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight.

Talk n Text and Rain or Shine, meanwhile, depart for Lapu-Lapu City to play an equally crucial match tomorrow. The Tropang Texters take a second shot at formalizing entry into the playoffs while the Elasto Painters play a third straight do-or-die game.

The playoff race has turned into a spirited battle with no team formally clinching a playoff berth and no squad has been eliminated with four playdates left in the elims.

Barangay Ginebra and Rain or Shine made the race tighter with victories over Talk n Text and B-Meg on Sunday and Wednesday, respectively.

Complications abound with only the Tropang Texters and the Llamados almost there in the playoffs with five wins each.

Powerade and Barangay Ginebra are right behind the frontrunners at 4-3, followed by Alaska Milk and Barako Bull at 4-4, Air21 at 3-4 then Rain or Shine, Meralco and Petron at 3-5.

“We can’t be distracted with so many possibilities. We just want to focus on getting a crucial win. We will definitely be undersized as compared to Alaska, but we will find a way to compete,” said Powerade coach Bo Perasol.

On a swashbuckling ride from last conference, the Tigers can have a shot at an outright semifinal berth with a sweep of their last two games against the Aces and the B-Meg Llamados.

The Aces, however, are expected to wage a battle to avoid complication of ties for the sixth and last slot in the quarterfinals.

Any tie for the sixth spot will be resolved by one playoff game, meaning quotient will be a crucial factor in the race.

Coaches Ryan Gregorio and Franz Pumaren are well aware where their teams stand.

“It’s must-win game for us. We should go back to our basic that is playing aggressive defense and try to execute our offense smartly,” said Pumaren. 

“There’s a small window of opportunity for us to make the playoffs. Of course, we will do whatever it takes to have a chance for the last bus,” said Gregorio.

“Our season is on the brink. Our survival instincts will again be tested. We will keen on fighting until the fighting is over,” Gregorio added.