KaTropa out to keep hot run

MANILA, Philippines — TNT KaTropa seeks to keep its hot streak going to stay on course for a possible No. 2 finish while Columbian Dyip eyes a playoff crack at the last quarterfinal berth as the two teams slug it out in the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo tonight.

On a four-game roll, the KaTropa are determined to stretch their run to move within a win of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (8-3). But the Dyip have their own great desire to come out and win as it is their last chance to gain at least a tie for the No. 8 spot.

  TNT and Columbian clash in a crucial match at 4:30 p.m. then Magnolia and Blackwater collide in their own key duel at 7 p.m.

The Hotshots look to break out of a three-way logjam at sixth place with the NLEX Road Warriors and the Alaska Milk Aces at 5-5 while the Elite hope for a triumphant exit in the tourney, seeking a closing 3-8 card.

Blackwater coach Bong Ramos vows to do their best to win the game then will leave their fate to team owner Dioceldo Sy who has hinted at a major overhaul of the team because of their poor showing in the tourney.

Of course, the TNT-Columbian tiff is more important.

Coach Bong Ravena and his troops need to sweep their last two games to have a shot at a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals.

The KaTropa achieve that goal if they land in a three-way tie at second with the Elasto Painters and the Barangay Ginebra Kings at 8-3. One loss, and they are out of the race.

“Every game is very important for us. We’ll grab every opportunity that will come our way,” said Ravena.

Meanwhile, Magnolia coach Chito Victolero said they would leave nothing to chance against the Elite.

 “Though they’re out of the playoff race, we will not take them for granted,” said Victolero.

The Magnolia bench chieftain knows his players are physically drained from their grind-out win over the NorthPort Batang Pier just Wednesday night, but he still expects them to come out in a proper mindset against the Elite.

“Sabi ko nga, pagkatapos na ng laro namin against Blackwater kami magpahinga,” said Victolero.

The Hotshots are in a must-win situation in their two remaining games especially as they’re hoping to finish in the Top Six for an outright quarters passage and a quarters matchup not against the top seed or the second seed.