Games on July 4 (Mall of Asia Arena)
4:30 p.m. – San Miguel vs Blackwater
7 p.m. – Magnolia vs NLEX
MANILA, Philippines – The Magnolia Hotshots hope to salvage a spot in the playoff round of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup with the help of veteran PBA import Wayne Chism whom they tapped to replace Justin Jackson.
Chism, who has played under coach Yeng Guiao at Rain or Shine and at NLEX, brings his stuff with the Hotshots as they play make-or-break matches versus the NLEX Road Warriors on July 4 and the San Miguel Beermen on July 7.
The Hotshots are in a precarious situation with a 4-5 win-loss record heading into the last three play dates of the one-round-robin eliminations.
They actually got off to a strong start with Vernon Macklin but struggled with import subs Curtis Kelly and Jackson. Macklin had to leave to attend a commitment in the Chinese league.
While Alaska Milk, TNT KaTropa and Meralco are locked in a tight fight for the No. 2 spot (and its twice-to-beat bonus in the quarters), Magnolia is with San Miguel (5-4), Barangay Ginebra (5-5), GlobalPort (5-5), Phoenix Fuel (4-6) and Columbian Dyip (4-7) in a mad scramble for the four remaining seats in the Final Eight.
The Hotshots need to sweep their last two games to assure their playoff entry.
Meanwhile, the Aces take their last shot at the No. 2 spot versus the Fuel Masters on July 6 at the Cuneta Astrodome.
It would be a battle between TNT and Meralco should Alaska lose to Phoenix.
Rain or Shine, at 9-1, is guaranteed of No. 1 finish even if it drops its last game against TNT KaTropa on July 7.
If TNT wins over ROS and Alaska loses to Phoenix, the Texters emerge as the No. 2 team
A three-way tie among Alaska, TNT and Meralco at 7-3, however, will make the Bolts the second seed in the post-elims play.