Meralco eyes playoff perks

MANILA, Philippines — Meralco guns for the No. 2 seeding and the last available win-once incentive in the playoffs when it battles NLEX in the 46th PBA Philippine Cup in Bacolor, Pampanga today.

The Bolts (7-2) target the clincher at 3 p.m. at the Don Honorio Ventura State U Gym versus a Road Warriors side (5-5) bent on getting sixth spot and avoiding a twice-to-beat opponent in the quarterfinals.

Alaska (3-6), one of four teams in a mad scramble to make the playoffs cut, shoots for a pivotal victory at 6 p.m. against fourth-running San Miguel Beer (6-4).

The Aces are seeking to get past the Beermen today and then the NorthPort Batang Pier (5-5) tomorrow to get ahead of eighth-running Barangay Ginebra (4-6), Phoenix (4-7) and Terrafirma (4-7) in the race for No. 8.

Meralco actually has two cracks at the coveted second spot behind league-leading TNT (10-1) but the Bolts would rather get it now than try again tomorrow against a Ginebra squad (4-6) fighting furiously for dear life.

“We’re aiming for the No. 2 para magkaroon kami ng advantage sa playoffs,” said Bolts veteran Allein Maliksi after taking their seventh victim of the tourney, Blackwater, 104-97. “Pero ang pinaka-goal is to get into the finals then makapag-champion.”

Undermanned in two games last week, the Bolts expect to have key players Chris Newsome and Cliff Hodge and reliever Toto Jose back after going through the league’s health protocols.

“New, Cliff and Toto are available in our game against NLEX,” said Black, who, however, ruled out his son Aaron (down with hand injury). “Aaron will still be out for both games.”

The Road Warriors may reach as high as No. 6 if they finish with six wins.

“We are still hoping to avoid the twice-to-beat disadvantage,” said NLEX coach Yeng Guiao. “Beating Meralco will give us the chance to make sixth place, even if it is not totally under our control.”