Meralco, Ginebra seek semis berths

MANILA, Philippines — It’s on for the protagonists in the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals, that stage where everyone goes on playoff basketball mode and move heaven and earth to beat the odds.

That’s why second-seeded Meralco and No. 4 Barangay Ginebra, which worked all tournament to get their privileged positions, intend to cash in on their win-once bonuses and finish off their tough-as-nails opponents in the race to the semifinals.

The Bolts shoot for the hide of rejuvenated No. 7 Aces at 4:30 p.m. while the Gin Kings look to dash the grandslam aspirations of embattled No. 5 San Miguel at 6:45 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“With the elims now over, our total concentration is on reaching the semis,” said Meralco coach Norman Black, whose Allen Durham-led squad aims to hurdle the challenge of a rival that’s made a strong charge after a 0-5 start to join Last-8 cast.

“Alaska has been playing good basketball so we are expecting a tough challenge. We need to be ready for the fact that they have been thriving with early offense and a strong team defense. On our end, we just want to continue to execute and play the type of basketball that has gotten us to this point,” he added.

The Bolts certainly can’t afford to play sloppily against coach Jeff Cariaso’s charges. Just look at what Alaska did to NLEX at the end of elims, handing the top-ranked team a 106-90 rout.

Though up against a troubled SMB team that’s hit by internal issues and missing Arwind Santos, Kelly Nabong and Ronald Tubid due to a team-imposed suspension for their involvement in a scuffle alongside former import Dez Wells in practice, Ginebra coach Tim Cone remains wary of their backs-to-the-wall foes.

“We certainly could have chosen a different opponent if it was within our power, but SMB it is. Control what you can control and that is preparing ourselves the best we can. It’s always such a great challenge going against them. Both teams are extremely motivated. It should be a great fight,” he said.

Well, the Beermen will have more motivation – survival. One loss tonight and all the hard work that SMB put in to grab the Philippine Cup and Commissioner’s Cup titles and coming this close to a rare treble will go pfft.

“These are just trials we’re facing, a test of character for the team. We’re not yet out so we need to stay positive,” said SMB star June Mar Fajardo.

“We’ll do everything to overcome this.”