Mahindra continues quest for first ever PBA playoff appearance

Games Wednesday (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

4:15 p.m. – NLEX vs Mahindra

7 p.m. – Meralco vs Blackwater

MANILA, Philippines – Mahindra, its unbeaten run snapped by Phoenix Petroleum the last time, resumes chase of a first PBA playoff stint as it goes up against unpredictable NLEX in the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night.

The Enforcers blew a 20-point first-half lead and dropped a 94-100 loss to the Fuel Masters, their first under coach Chris Gavina after winning their first four matches versus the Star Hotshots, the Globalport Batang Pier, the San Miguel Beermen and the Alaska Milk Aces.

Gavina hopes that they recover right away as they again seek to move in the threshold of a very first playoff appearance for the Columbian Motors franchise.

Meanwhile, the Road Warriors set out for the 4:15 p.m. match in pursuit of a first back-to-back wins in the season-ending tourney.

Besting the Star Hotshots, 88-85, Friday, the Road Warriors go for a second straight victory to firm up their place in the Top Eight – the magic circle for the playoff round.

Meralco and Blackwater clash in the other game at 7 p.m. with the Bolts the heavy favorites versus the injury-crippled Elite.

Blackwater import Eric Durham is a doubtful starter due to back spasm while ace local big man JP Erram has been placed on the injured list due to a suspected ACL tear.

With guard Almost Vosotros relegated to the free agent list, taken in to fill in holes in Blackwater’s lineup are free agents Denok Miranda and Juami Tiongson.

On the other hand, Meralco’s concern is energy coming from a tough double-overtime grind versus Globalport just 48 hours ago.

“We need to win. Coming off a tough loss, it’s important we get off to a good start and sustain it. We are hoping Allen Durham will continue his solid play but we also need the locals to be on top of their game,” said Meralco coach Norman Black.

The Bolts seek to bounce back from their 123-126 loss to the Batang Pier to stay right behind the frontrunners going into the crucial stretch of the elims phase of the season-ending tourney.

The Elite, meanwhile, are looking for a win that could spark a rally for the team from their precarious spot at 1-4.

Blackwater is tied with Alaska Milk, Globalport and Star at 1-4, a full game behind joint seventh placers NLEX (2-3) and Phoenix (2-3).

A big concern for Blackwater is how to contain Durham coming off a 55-point performance. Dawson has also been pretty solid but his status is uncertain with a back spasm sustained in their game against TNT KaTropa the last time out.

The Elite played three solid quarters versus the Texters but wavered in the final canto on the exit of Dawson and Erram on injuries and ended up with an 89-109 blowout loss.

Dawson sat out the last eight minutes of the game while Erram was carried to their dugout on a stretcher just at the start of the second quarter. Minus the two, the Elite were pummeled, 33-11, in the last nine minutes of the contest.