Hotshots seek clincher; Beermen, Tropang Giga break 2-2 standoff

MANILA, Philippines — Victolero and troops, who are comfortably ahead in their side of the PBA Philippine Cup Final Four, 3-1, have only to look back at Game 3 to see how the Bolts fought furiously with their backs against the wall.

That match resulted in an 86-91 loss for the Hotshots after a 2-0 head start. They eventually bounced back with an 81-69 verdict in Game 4 to get on the hill.

“We don’t want a repeat of Game 3,” Victolero said ahead of the 3 p.m. fifth match at the Don Honorio Ventura State U Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.

“Until we get win No. 4, the series isn’t over so we have to stay focused, remind everybody the game at hand is the most important game – not Game 6, not Game 7 but Game 5.”

Meralco vowed to fight back hard despite an injury-hit situation. The Bolts will continue to miss guard Aaron Black due to a hand injury but center Raymond Almazan, who sat out the last two games due to an ankle sprain, is a “game-time decision.”

Meanwhile, San Miguel Beer and TNT break a 2-2 standoff at 6 p.m. After splitting the first two fixtures in close fashion, the protagonists took turns winning by huge margins in the next two.

“It’s a (virtual) best-of-three so Game 5 is really pivotal,” said SMB strategist Leo Austria, whose wards are coming off a 116-90 rout. “We expect our opponents to step up big and we have to be ready to counter and adjust to whatever they bring.”

TNT goes to battle with Poy Erram tagged as a “game-time decision” after sustaining a fractured cheekbone last Sunday.

Coach Chot Reyes said the Tropang Giga are still good as long as they maintain the mentality that has served them well in this campaign.

“We need to get better (everyday), ” he said.

Notes: Blackwater is shipping Mike Tolomia and a future draft pick to Alaska to acquire veteran JVee Casio and sophomore big Barkley Ebona as part of its rebuilding efforts after a winless conference. The proposed trade is awaiting PBA approval.