Aces, Hotshots seek quarters ‘bonus’

MANILA, Philippines — Alaska Milk and Magnolia try to secure a Top Four finish while NLEX and TNT KaTropa resume the chase for a quarterfinals entry in a crucial twinbill ushering in the last 10 days of the PBA Governors Cup elimination round at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo tonight.

The Aces and the Road Warriors mix it up at 4:30 p.m. then the Hotshots and the Texters slug it out at 7 p.m.

Alaska (7-2) and Magnolia (7-2) both shoot for a win that will ensure them of a twice-to-beat bonus in the quarters while NLEX (4-5) and TNT (4-5) both seek a victory that will guarantee them a playoff for a quarters passage.

Thus, both games are virtual playoff battles, and each combatant braces for a tough duel.

“NLEX as always causesd us problems with their pace, spreading the floor, and great use of the pick and roll. Hopefully, we can defend for 48 minutes and take care of the basketball,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton.

“Breaking their full court pressure is always a challenge for any team. Containing their guards and minimizing their import’s efficiency is the defensive challenge facing us,” said NLEX coach Yeng Guiao.

Alaska is tied in the lead with Magnolia and Barangay Ginebra following back-to-back triumphs over Columbian Dyip and Blackwater while NLEX is at joint sixth after successive losses to Ginebra, Phoenix and Meralco.

Meanwhile, Magnolia and TNT both have just been stopped on their tracks.

The Hotshots bowed to the Meralco Bolts, 88-94, a week ago while the Texters went down to a 96-107 defeat at the hands of the San Miguel Beermen a day later in Calasiao, Pangasinan.

They clash in a virtual make-or-break duel as they face one and the same major road block in their last game in the elims – the reigning two-time Governors Cup champ Barangay Ginebra.

“Our fate is in our hands. We just have to go for it,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero, hopeful they would end up in the Top Four and gain a twice-to-beat bonus in the quarterfinals.

The Texters, meanwhile, are hard pressed to win their last two games to avoid any complication in their bid to salvage a quarters spot.