Boosters, Kings seek playoff for semis

Manila, Philippines -  Reigning champion Petron Blaze and perennial title contender Barangay Ginebra try to clinch a playoff shot at semifinal berths as they play separate rivals at the close of their elims assignments in the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today.

Ginebra faces a more dangerous rival in Barako Bull, among the teams vying for five remaining slots in the next round.

The Kings and the Energy collide in the 5:15 p.m. curtain raiser then the Boosters tangle with also-ran the Air21 Express in the 7:30 p.m. mainer.

Seven games are left in the short one-round-robin elims phase with seven teams in the fight for the five remaining spots in the semis.

B-Meg and Talk n Text have one foot in the semis with identical 5-3 win-loss slates. Petron, Ginebra, Powerade and Meralco are at 4-4 and Barako is right behind them at 3-4.

Only Rain or Shine is safe in the semis with a 7-1 card while Air21 and Alaska are out with their 2-6 and 2-7 records, respectively.

The Boosters had been among the tournament frontrunners until they dropped three of their last four outings.

The Energy also tumbled down following back-to-back losses while the Kings have been on and off, yet to win successive games or suffer back-to-back losses.

Dropping a close game versus the Texters, 111-113, Sunday, the Kings vow to go all out to end their elims stint with a win.

Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen believes it will be enough for them to make the semis. “We win, (and) we avoid any complication,” he said.

The Energy, however, are also determined to dish out their best.

“It’s a must-win game for us and we hope to bring our A-game,” said Barako coach Junel Baculi.

Losing their last two games to Rain or Shine and Talk n Text, Baculi is optimistic they can bounce back if “we’re able to play above distractions and execute our game plan to perfection.”

The Boosters, meanwhile, promise not to take the Express for granted.