Bolts eye No. 1, Kings seek Top 6 spot

MANILA, Philippines – Meralco chases a first-ever elimination-round top finish, Barangay Ginebra seeks a spot in the Top Six while Star and Mahindra fight for dear life in a critical doubleheader in the penultimate day of the Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup elims at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today.

The Hotshots and the Enforcers clash in a knockout setto at 4:15 p.m. then the Bolts and the Gin Kings slug it out in an equally important battle at 7 p.m. in virtual playoff matches before the playoff proper.

“Playoffs start early for us. We need to win so we can stay out of seventh and the twice-to-win disadvantage. So that makes this a must-win. It’s not a do or die but it’s pretty darn close,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone.

Clashing in a veritable do-or-die are the Star Hotshots and the Mahindra Enforcers.

“Despite our slow start, our destiny is still in our hands. Hopefully, we come out and perform,” said Star coach Jason Webb.

The Enforcers, meanwhile, hope to draw inspiration from Manny Pacquiao’s conquest of Tim Bradley in Las Vegas Sunday. Pacquiao is still listed as player/coach of the ball club.

The winner in the Star-Mahindra team grabs the eighth and last berth in the quarters while the loser joins Phoenix Petroleum, Blackwater and Globalport in an early vacation.

In the main game, Meralco tries to complete a 360-degree turnaround from last place in the recent Philippine Cup to first place in the elims of this mid-season tourney.

Never in the history of the Meralco franchise has the team topped the elims.

“We’ll go for that. It doesn’t matter who we play in the quarterfinals,” said Meralco coach Norman Black.

It’s a big game as Meralco goes for a milestone while Ginebra looks to seal a spot in the Top Six.

A win by the Gin Kings guarantees them of at least a berth in the best-of-three quarterfinals. Or they could get a playoff crack at No. 2 spot on tiebreaks.

 “It will be interesting to see what happens when statistically the best two defensive teams in the elimination round collide,” said Black.

“We want to play sound defense, but it may be our offensive execution versus their defense that will make the difference. Their size will be a major factor and we must keep them off the offensive board,” Black also said.

The Bolts seek a closing 9-2 win-loss card while the Kings chase a 7-4 mark.

Meralco secured the coveted quarters advantage in a 107-101 spanking of Alaska Milk Friday.

Ginebra, meanwhile, got back into contention for the Top Six as the Kings walloped the San Miguel Beermen, 110-84, in their last outing. In their previous game, the Kings were clobbered by the Tropang TNT Texters, 92-107.