Race up for last seat in Magic 4

An Easter Sunday thriller is in the offing at the resumption of Alaxan PBA All-Filipino Cup hostilities today with four teams, in hot pursuit of the last berth in the Magic Four, figuring in a crucial double-header at the Araneta Coliseum.

It's Purefoods versus Sta. Lucia Realty at 4:15 p.m. then Mobiline against Pop Cola at 6:30 p.m. in a vital twinbill that could well provide an early answer to the question on which teams take the top draws in the quarterfinals.

With an even 6-6 win-loss card, Sta. Lucia has the inside track in the fight for the No. 4 spot in the quarterfinals draw. Purefoods is breathing down Sta. Lucia's neck at 6-5, then Pop Cola at 5-6, Shell Velocity at 5-7 and Mobiline at 4-7.

Barangay Ginebra has bowed out of contention for a spot in the Magic Four and, worse, is now in danger of missing the quarters with a 4-8 mark.

Teams which have secured spots in the Top Four, thus assuring themselves of a twice-to-beat privilege in the quarters, are the Tanduay Rhum Masters (10-2), the San Miguel Beermen (9-3) and the Alaska Milkmen (8-3).

Odds are about even in both games tonight though Purefoods and Mobiline hacked out emphatic wins over Sta. Lucia and Pop Cola, respectively, in their previous meetings this season.

The Realtors and the 800s could well put up a whale of a fight this time with both teams riding a new wave of confidence following stirring triumphs in their last games.

Fact is the 800s are coming off three straight wins -- already the team's longest winning streak since the 1998 Centennial Cup.

And the 800s may well be easily motivated by the team management to go for win No. 4 against Mobiline under coaches Louie Alas and Aric del Rosario -- both declining a coaching offer at the RFM Corp. franchise in the off-season.

However, Mobiline has long been dominating Pop Cola in their head-on duels. The Phone Pals demolished the 800s, 113-76, last March 19, making it nine in a row against the Concepcion ballclub.