Gin Kings to press quarterfinal bid vs Elite

MANILA, Philippines -  Barangay Ginebra tries to firm up its bid for a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals while Rain or Shine, GlobalPort and Blackwater chase playoff entry as they figure in a crucial double-header in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna tonight.

The Elasto Painters (5-4) seek an outright playoff berth while the Batang Pier (3-6) try to gain a piece of eighth spot as they slug it out at 4:15 p.m.

 Ginebra and Blackwater square off in a key match at 7 p.m. where the Gin Kings (6-2) look to enhance their bid for a Top Two finish against the Elite (2-7) who are fighting for survival.

Justin Brownlee and the Gin Kings will take elims top honors with a sweep of their last three games. Winning two of those three games, on the other hand, will give the Gin Kings a shot at the Top Two and the win-once bonus in the quarters.

The Kings bolstered their bid for a Top Two finish after turning back Charles Rhodes and the San Miguel Beermen, 107-99, last Sunday at the MOA Arena.

The Star Hotshots (8-2), the Meralco Bolts (7-3) and the TNT KaTropa Texters (7-3) are the other teams slugging it out for the twice-to-beat incentive in the playoffs.

But the Kings have also beaten the Hotshots, 113-98, and the Texters, 107-89. This means Ginebra will have the edge in quotient in case they figure in a tie for first and second spots.

Tournament format calls for a playoff match only in logjams at eighth place. And that’s what GlobalPort, Mahindra and Blackwater are trying to salvage as they  are all  outside the Top Eight.

The Gin Kings ride the momentum of their unexpected eight-point triumph over the Beermen in going up against the Elite.

Coach Tim Cone, however, said they can’t take the Elite for granted since Blackwater is trying to avoid early exit.

Greg Smith and his teammates need to sweep their last two games against Ginebra and San Miguel Beer for a possible playoff crack at the eighth and last playoff seat.