Beermen, E-Painters step up drive

Games today (Ynares-Antipolo)

4:15 p.m. – Rain or Shine vs Alaska

7 p.m. – Phoenix vs San Miguel

MANILA, Philippines — Grand slam-chasing San Miguel Beer and Rain or Shine face eliminated teams as they continue their pursuit of a Top Four finish in the PBA Governors Cup eliminations at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo tonight.

The Elasto Painters tangle with the Alaska Milk Aces at 4:15 p.m. then the Beermen tackle the Fuel Masters at 7 p.m., with ROS and SMB out to push their drives in a mad scramble among seven teams for the four spots with a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals.

It’s a seven-cornered fight among Barangay Ginebra (8-2), Meralco (7-2), NLEX (7-2), TNT KaTropa (7-3), San Miguel (6-3), Star (5-4) and Rain or Shine (5-4).

Blackwater is the eighth and last playoffs qualifier, but the Elite are out of the fight for the crucial quarters incentive with a 5-5 slate.

Meanwhile, Alaska (3-7) and Phoenix (2-8), along with GlobalPort (3-7) and Kia (0-10), are the early casualties.

But for sure, the Aces and the Fuel Masters can’t be taken for granted tonight as they’re determined to end their season on a winning note.

Coaches Leo Austria of San Miguel and Caloy Garcia of Rain or Shine said the Aces and the Fuel Masters are dangerous foes as they’re playing with no pressure at all.

For their part, the Beermen and the E-Painters are hard pressed to win their last two games to have a shot at the Top Four.