NLEX, NorthPort shoot for quarters

MANILA, Philippines — All-Star co-MVP winner Japeth Aguilar, Three-Point King PJ Simon and the rest of the All-Star participants from Barangay Ginebra, Magnolia, NorthPort and NLEX now have to put the All-Star fun behind them.

The four ball clubs clash in the closing play date of the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight, determining the last two teams to occupy spots in the Last Eight.

It’s NLEX versus Magnolia at 4:30 p.m. then NorthPort against Ginebra at 7 p.m., with the Road Warriors and the Batang Pier gunning for an automatic quarters entry.

Victories by NLEX and NorthPort will hand them the last two spots in the quarters and eliminate the possibility of a playoff for the last quarters berth involving Alaska Milk.

But Ginebra and Magnolia aren’t expected to hand the quarters berths to NorthPort and NLEX on a silver platter.

The Gin Kings, though safe and secure at No. 3, are determined to keep their winning momentum going into the playoffs while the Hotshots, though already safe in the quarters, are hard pressed to win to seal a No. 6 seeding.

A loss by the Hotshots could relegate them to No. 7 or No. 8 where they face a quarters rival with a twice-to-beat advantage.

Thus, it’s a virtual playoff for the Hotshots, the Road Warriors and the Batang Pier.

 “It’s very crucial for both teams, and we need to match their effort and desire because I know they will come out very strong. Execution on defense will also be a key for us,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero.

At 4-6, NLEX could gain outright playoff entry and even land in the Top Six with a big win over Magnolia.

 Regardless of the outcome of the game, Ginebra, meanwhile, will be the playoff third seed going up against the sixth seed in a best-of-three showdown.

But coach Tim Cone insists they want to keep the momentum heading to the post-elims play.

The Batang Pier are the ones hard pressed to win to avoid complications of a tie at No. 8 spot. A loss could mean figuring in a playoff to make the Final Eight.

But coach Pido Jarencio and his troops automatically join early quarterfinal qualifiers Phoenix Pulse, Rain or Shine, Ginebra, TNT KaTropa and San Miguel if they hurdle the Kings.

“Needless to say, we’ll do our best to make it to the quarterfinals without the need to go through a knockout game,” said Jarencio.

“We have this opportunity right in front of us, syempre gusto namin masungkit ito,” Jarencio also said.

The Batang Pier rallied into strong contention for the playoffs after back-to-back victories over TNT KaTropa (109-83) and Alaska Milk (94-84). Before that, the Batang Pier teetered on the brink following six consecutive losses.

And Jarencio is thankful for the All-Star break where they were able to rest and refresh following their back-to-back games against the KaTropa and the Aces.

Having lesser preparation for the game is Ginebra since a number of Gin Kings joined the PBA All-Star bandwagon in the Calasiao All-Star festivities.