Beermen seek outright seat vs Warriors

MANILA, Philippines - San Miguel Beer and NLEX meet in a crucial showdown tonight to start their respective killer runs with the Beermen seeking an outright semifinal berth and the Road Warriors aiming for a twice-to-beat advantage in the initial stage of the quarterfinals.

Globalport seeks solo fourth spot while Meralco fights for survival in the other game tonight in the Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.

The Batang Pier, currently tied with the TNT Tropang Texters at fourth at 5-3, and the Bolts, miring in the cellar at 1-8, clash at 4:15 p.m. to usher in the 7 p.m. SMB-NLEX duel featuring a marquee side showdown between Junmar Fajardo and Asi Taulava.

The Beermen and the Road Warriors are both out to build momentum in preparation for their tough assignments toward the end of the elims.

After this game, San Miguel faces elite rivals TNT and Alaska Milk. NLEX, meanwhile, is next up against Barangay Ginebra then Rain or Shine.

“You can’t get a tougher windup than that. It’s really a killer stretch,” said coach Leo Austria whose chargers must do well in that run if they’re to clinch an automatic semifinal berth.

SMB (7-1) and Alaska (7-1) are running neck-and-neck on top, followed closely by Rain or Shine (6-2). TNT and Globalport are nursing slim hopes of making the Top Two.

Tournament format calls for the elims’ Top Two to gain outright Final Four entry. The next eight go through a cutthroat two-phase quarterfinals stage.

“We’ll do our best to finish at least second. The quarters grind will be tough for anybody,” said Austria.

The Road Warriors are as determined to do good in the homestretch of the elims with their hopes to land in the Top Six for a twice-to-beat advantage in the initial stage of the quarters.

Coach Boyet Fernandez and his troops have dropped to joint seventh with Barako Bull at 4-4 following back-to-back losses to Alaska (81-89) and Globalport (90-96).

The Road Warriors are the underdogs in each of their last three games.

Fernandez said they face a tall mountain to climb against the Beermen but they are ready to defy the odds.

“They’re a tough task but we are ready. We just have to limit Junmar Fajardo and play tough defense on the other players,” he said. “Defense will be the key if we want to steal the game.”