One out, one more to go

Globalport is out of playoff contention after losing to Talk ‘N’ Text in Iloilo last Saturday and that’s because, with two more games left and showing a 2-10 record, the Batang Pier won’t be able to make five wins. As it is, eight teams are showing at least five wins and only eight will advance to the playoffs after the eliminations end on April 17.

Just 10 games remain in the elimination schedule and ninth placer Barako Bull (4-8) is still in the hunt for a playoff spot. The Energy Cola plays No. 2 Rain Or Shine this Friday and Globalport on Sunday. Two wins will boost Barako’s win total to six and depending on how Air 21 (5-7) fares in its last two assignments, could mean at least a playoff for the eighth spot. Barako coach Rajko Toroman said he’s sticking with seven-year NBA veteran D. J. Mbenga as import. He’ll throw the dice with Mbenga in harness against the Painters’ Bruno Sundov and Globalport’s Sylvester Morgan.

Toroman said Mbenga could’ve done more against Petron last Sunday. “It was like I expected with only four practices we had (with Mbenga),” said Toroman. “We’ll try to do something in the next three days (of practice). For (Evan) Brock, most likely, no chance to reactivate.” The Congo center compiled 14 points and 12 rebounds in Barako’s 88-77 loss to Petron but with Jonas Villanueva out, the Energy Cola couldn’t get maximum production from Josh Urbiztondo who settled for a quiet five points.

Alone at the top is Alaska at 9-3 after scoring a repeat win over Rain Or Shine last Friday. Aces import Robert Dozier has been consistent on both ends since the start of the conference and he’s the reason why coach Luigi Trillo is head and shoulders above the others so far. Alaska has won three of its last four and the Aces only losses were to San Mig Coffee (the Tim Cone curse) twice and Air 21.  Alaska has beaten Petron twice and Rain Or Shine twice to prove its mettle. What’s remarkable is the Aces have won their last two outings with Calvin Abueva averaging only seven points, meaning they’re finding other sources of energy. Jvee Casio and Sonny Thoss didn’t even play in the second Petron game as Raffy Reyes, Cyrus Baguio and Dondon Hontiveros tallied 11 apiece. Hontiveros went 7-of-10 from three-point range and grabbed seven rebounds in the Aces’ 89-84 decision over the Painters last Friday.

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Alaska plays Ginebra tonight and Globalport on Friday to close out its elimination calendar. A split will guarantee the Aces with a twice-to-beat advantage in the first round of playoffs. Rain Or Shine is in second spot at 8-4 with two games left – Barako on Friday and Meralco on April 17. The Painters are in a solid position to also gain a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.

Tied for third are Petron and Ginebra at 7-5. The Blaze Boosters face Air 21 on Saturday and Talk ‘N’ Text on April 17. With Henry Sims more acclimatized to PBA playing conditions, coach Olsen Racela is optimistic the Georgetown import will play like he did in a dominant role for the Erie Bay Hawks in the NBA D-League this season. Sims, 23, looked a lot more comfortable playing in Racela’s system when Petron beat Barako than in his debut spoiled by a 102-92 loss to Meralco.   

Ginebra battles Alaska tonight and the Texters on Sunday. Both Petron and Ginebra could go up to 9-5. In a logjam for fifth are Talk ‘N’ Text, Meralco and San Mig Coffee, all at 6-6. The Tropa is now looking to replace Donnell Harvey who left town on a family emergency last Sunday afternoon. Agent Sheryl Reyes said among the candidates are Chris Daniels and Ike Diogu.

“Donnell learned about a family emergency back in the US last Saturday early morning while the team was in Iloilo,” said Tropa team manager Aboy Castro. “He was concerned about his family back home but knew that we had a game to play. After giving his all and winning the game, he told us that he wanted to go home to his family to be with them during this trying time. We’re still looking at prospects. Will surely have an import for the next game against Ginebra.”

Reyes said Harvey was on a guaranteed full-conference contract. “It was a struggle to get out but Talk ‘N’ Text agreed, knowing it was an accident,” she said.  Harvey’s three children supposedly were involved in a car accident but while they’re not in any serious danger, the trauma must be addressed. Daniels replaced Mbenga as Tracy McGrady’s import partner in the China league this season while Diogu suited up for Nigeria at the London Olympics last year. Diogu was Golden State’s first round pick in the 2005 NBA draft and played for six teams in six NBA seasons, earning over $9.2 Million.

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Meralco plays the Mixers on Saturday and Rain Or Shine on April 17. If Eric Dawson draws consistent local support, the Bolts will be tough to stop. Coach Ryan Gregorio can’t rely on Dawson to singlehandedly take care of business game in, game out so MacMac Cardona, Reynel Hugnatan, Sunday Salvacion, Ronjay Buenafe, Jay-R Reyes and Chris Ross have to provide firepower, too. San Mig Coffee will move up to 8-6 if they upend Air 21 tonight and Meralco on Saturday. Denzel Bowles is slowly peaking and that’s good news for Cone.

Air 21 is in solo eighth and plays San Mig Coffee tonight and Petron on Saturday. If the eliminations ended today, Alaska will play Air 21 with a twice-to-beat advantage, Rain Or Shine will meet Talk ‘N’ Text with a similar twice-to-beat edge and Petron will battle Meralco and Ginebra will face San Mig Coffee in best-of-three series. Barako and Globalport will be out of the running if today’s standings don’t change until the last day of eliminations on April 17.