MANILA, Philippines — Corporate relationship takes a backseat as Meralco and NLEX collide in a make-or-break PBA Commissioner’s Cup eliminations tussle today at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The Bolts (4-6) and the Road Warriors (4-7) are in the rear of a tight race for the four remaining quarterfinal tickets, trailing fifth-running San Miguel (6-5), No. 6 NorthPort (6-6), No. 7 Phoenix (6-6) and No. 8 Rain or Shine (5-6) with two play dates left.
As such, the sister teams under the MVP Group are expected to fight tooth and nail for that lifeline.
The victors in the 3 p.m. tiff get to stay in play but would further need favorable results from the other matchups to at least get a shot at the eighth and last seat.
Ginebra (8-3) and Converge (8-3), teams already bound for the quarters along with top seed-assured Bay Area (10-2) and second-running Magnolia (9-2), face off later at 5:45 p.m.
The Bolts take the court again on Friday versus the Beermen while the Hotshots battle the Elasto Painters in the closing game of the elims.
Meralco was stymied by a 108-96 loss to Magnolia last Sunday after previously climbing back from a 1-5 start with three straight wins.
“We’ve been in this situation for quite a while now,” said Bolts coach Norman Black, whose team will embark on this final push with Raymond Almazan doubtful after suffering a “severe ankle sprain” last time.
“It’s a crucial game for both teams basically for a chance of getting a tie. It’s a must-win for us and then we still have San Miguel after this,” he added.
NLEX kept its flickering hopes alive by toppling Ginebra last Friday, 120-117, in overtime.
“Kumbaga sa isda, medyo pumapalag-palag pa,” said NLEX mentor Frankie Lim after snapping a five-game skid with their big catch. “We’ll prepare for Meralco and not put this victory to waste by losing to Meralco in this important game.”
Meanwhile, the FiberXers and the Gin Kings dispute solo third in their explosive duel.
Ginebra can actually even rise to No. 2 and take the second twice-to-beat advantage, provided it takes care of business against Converge and Magnolia later falls to ROS. This scenario will lead to a tie for second between the Manila Clasico rivals at 9-3 with the Gin Kings winning tiebreak on the strength of their 103-97 elims win.
Converge, however, doesn’t enjoy the same luxury in case of a triumph against Ginebra and a deadlock with Magnolia, no thanks to the Hotshots’ 109-105 verdict in their elims meeting.