Mahindra out to boost semis bid; 'must-win' for Star

Games Friday (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

4:15 p.m. – Phoenix vs Star

7 p.m. – Mahindra vs Rain or Shine

MANILA, Philippines – Mahindra presses its Top Four aspiration, Rain or Shine and Phoenix Petroleum try to keep spots in the middle of the chart while Star fights for survival in a crucial double-header in the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday night.

It’s the Fuel Masters versus the Hotshots at 4:15 p.m. then the Enforcers against the Elasto Painters at 7 p.m. in virtual playoff matches ahead of the playoff proper.

Already assured of a first playoff appearance in a breakthrough performance, the Enforcers hope to get going, gunning for a win that will assure them of at least a tie for fourth place. The ultimate goal is to land in the Top Four for a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.

But for sure, Rain or Shine would not hand it to Mahindra on a silver platter especially as the E-Painters are now in a precarious spot at joint sixth place with the Fuel Masters at 3-4.

In an effort to pump new life in their quarterfinal hopes, the E-Painters set out for the match with a new import in Jason Forte who has taken over from Dior Lowhorn.

“We are struggling so this game becomes more important to us if we are to survive the elims,” said ROS coach Yeng Guiao.

“We have a new import, but our attitude is the locals will have to take most of the responsibility, and whatever the import contributes is just the bonus,” Guiao also said. “Chemistry and flow is what is missing in our game. We hope we can get back in time.”

In direr strait are the Star Hotshots at 1-6.

“Two words – must win,” said Star coach Jason Webb on his thoughts going to their game against the Fuel Masters.

The Hotshots fight for dear life against the Fuel Masters who are fired up by three wins in their last four outings.

The Fuel Masters made an incredible fightback from a four-point deficit in the last 33 seconds in regulations and topped the NLEX Road Warriors, 99-95, in overtime the last time out.

“It was a tough game and we’re ready to move on to the next game,” said Phoenix coach Ariel Vanguardia.

The E-Painters and the Fuel Masters, at 3-4, are just half-game ahead of Alaska Milk, Globalport and NLEX at 3-5. They are all virtually out of the fight for the Top Four.

Mahindra coach Chris Gavina said they have a job cut off for them versus the E-Painters, the Commissioner’s Cup champs and the only team to have made at least the Final Four of each of the last nine PBA tourneys.

 The Enforcers, however, ooze with confidence especially coming off their 107-104 upset of the previously unbeaten TNT side.

With the win over the Texters, the Enforcers are now heading to a first-ever PBA playoff appearance in franchise history.

James White came through with 24 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals, KG Canaleta fired away two three-pointers and a total of 13 markers while guards LA Revilla, Paolo Taha and Michael DiGregorio combined for 38 points as Mahindra made a major breakthrough with a sixth win in seven starts.