Aces bring back Simpson in pursuit of Top 2 finish

Games Friday (Cuneta Astrodome)

4:30 p.m. – Alaska vs Phoenix

7 p.m. – GlobalPort vs Ginebra

MANILA, Philippines – Alaska Milk brings back its champion import Diamon Simpson as the Aces take their last shot at twice-to-beat bonus in the quarterfinals against a Phoenix Fuel team that fights for dear life in the penultimate play date of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome Friday night.

The Aces (7-3) shoot for the No. 2 playoff seeding while the Fuel Masters (4-6) eye a playoff crack at the last quarterfinal berth in their 4:30 p.m. tussle to be followed by the 7 p.m. setto between the Barangay Ginebra Kings (5-5) and the GlobalPort Batang Pier (5-5) which battle for an outright quarterfinal entry.

Simpson, Alaska’s import in its title run in the 2010 Fiesta Cup, is back, taking over from Antonio Campbell, who opted out of the coming PBA playoffs to suit up with the Orlando Magic in the NBA Summer League.

“Campbell said he’s pursuing a childhood dream, and we let him go. We’re fortunate Diamon is available to come over on short notice,” said Alaska team manager Dickie Bachmann.

Simpson arrived last Friday and thus has had almost a week of practices with the Aces ahead of their crucial match with the Fuel Masters.

“We know it will be a hard-fought game. Phoenix will play hard as they are playing for a playoff spot and we will play hard as we are playing for the twice-to-beat advantage,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton. “In my mind, the playoffs have started.”

“I’m thankful, our fate is in our hand. It’s a hard situation against Alaska with Diamon Simpson but we are positive,” said Phoenix coach Louie Alas.

A loss by Phoenix hands Ginebra, GlobalPort and Magnolia automatic quarterfinal entry.

But even then, the Kings and the Batang Pier are expected to go all out in a bid to finish in the Top Six and nail a spot in the best-of-three quarterfinals.

The Kings ride the crest of a four-game romp while the Batang Pier are coming off a 133-115 walloping of the Columbian Dyip where Stanley Pringle sizzled with an astonishing 50-point game.

“As a team we have worked really hard to get back in the race after our 1-5 start. We’ve been in the playoff mode for weeks, yet our recovery is not complete,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone.

“We still have the talented GlobalPort squad as a last hurdle before the playoffs begin. Pringle and company will be tough,” Cone also said.

GlobalPort coach Pido Jarencio stressed one thing — “We are ready.”

Ginebra put itself in a position to salvage a spot in the best-of-three quarters in winning its last four games all via lopsided fashion.

The Kings thundered past the NLEX Road Warriors, the Magnolia Hotshots, the Columbian Dyip and the Aces by a whopping average margin of 19.5 points.

“We’re really in the groove. I don’t know why. It’s working, and I wish I know what it is so we can continue to do it. But we’re not yet out of the woods,” said Cone after their 105-86 conquest of Alaska on June 24.

“We’re on a roll. I’m not sure what we’re doing but things are working together. But that’s basketball. Suddenly, you’ll be stopped on your tracks and you will struggle. It’s a long tournament and I hope we can keep going,” Cone also said.