Shell, Purefoods gun for outright semis slots

Top seed Formula Shell Turbo Chargers and No. 8 Mobiline Phone Pals clash in a battle of top defensive teams as the short quarterfinal phase of the PBA All Filipino Conference starts today at the Makati Coliseum.

The Turbo Chargers carry the twice-to-beat advantage when they meet the Phone Pals at 4:15 p.m.

The same advantage goes for the Purefoods Hotdogs (No. 4), who are seeking also an outright seat in the semifinals against the Ginebra Kings (No. 5) at 6:30 p.m.

No team had scored over 80 points against the Phone Pals during the elimination round, and the Turbo Chargers were even tighter on defense — having limited all their opponents to 70 or below.

"I think the players are beginning to realize our potential," said Shell coach Perry Ronquillo, who is setting his sights on a repeat of their 1999 title.

The twice-to-win disadvantage, which falls on Ginebra and Mobiline, has always been a big burden for teams on the lower half of the draw in the past, but Ginebra had defied the odds once, winning twice in a row over top seed Mobiline to score the biggest upset in an All-Filipino quarterfinal two years ago.

Last year, San Miguel, seeded sixth, also defeated Tanduay, third, in two outings and went on to become the lowest seed to win the title.

"It’s a tall order, since they’re playing well lately, but my players always respond well to the challenge when the game is on the line," said Ginebra coach Allan Caidic of their match against the Hotdogs, who are on a five-game winning streak.