Kings a cinch to gain top spot in Phl Cup

MANILA, Philippines - Through the 2013 stretch of the PBA Season 39 Philippine Cup, four teams – Barangay Ginebra, Petron Blaze, Rain or Shine and Talk n Text – have been slugging it out for the coveted Top 2 spots in the elimination round.

But Petron coach Gee Abanilla foresees Barangay Ginebra sustaining its romp to nail the top playoffs seeding, leaving Petron, Rain or Shine and Talk n Text to fight for No. 2.

“They have the edge and the momentum. They look a cinch to get the No. 1 spot,” Abanilla told The STAR.

As the tourney resumes with a double-header at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City tomorrow, the Gin Kings pace the field with a 9-1 win-loss card.

“They have a good schedule and they’re really playing well. Mukha talagang mauuna na sila sa itaas (They’re likely to clinch the top spot),” said Abanilla.

Petron is a full game behind Ginebra at 8-2, and Abanilla said they’re going through a tough grind to close out their 14-game elimination round stint.

In their last four games, the Boosters tangle with the Barako Bull Energy Cola, the Globalport Batang Pier, the San Mig Coffee Mixers and the Meralco Bolts – four teams all determined to spark a rally to make the Top Six or the best-of-three quarterfinal series.

The good news for the Boosters is that Junmar Fajardo has started to do some shooting in practice.

“He looks good now, unlike the past few days where he dragged his foot. There’s a good chance he’ll be back in our game against Barako (on Wednesday) but it will still depend on the assessment of the doctor,” said Abanilla.