Suddenly, the four lower seeded teams have become more hopeful they can make it past the quarterfinals and get a shot at the title playoff as Mobiline and Ginebra stalled Shell and Purefoods, respectively, Sunday, thus forcing sudden-death in their matchups.
Red Bull and Alaska try to achieve the same thing as they take on San Miguel Beer and Pop Cola, respectively, at the resumption of the Final Eight action at the Araneta Coliseum tonight.
The Thunder and the Beermen clash at 5:15 p.m., then the Aces and the Panthers collide at 7:30 p.m.
There’s no question that the Thunder have the tougher task than the Aces as they try to stop the Beermen from keeping their march towards a third straight championship following victories in the Commissioner’s and Governors’ Cups last year.
Still, oddsmakers aren’t writing off Red Bull specially with the Photokina franchise being beefed up with the return from sickbay of key players Mick Pennisi and Jimwell Torion.
Actually, the Beermen also set out with a healthy lineup following the return of Dan Seigle and Freddie Abuda from the injury list. San Miguel has acquired the services of former MBA star Dorian Peña but the Fil-Am behemoth may not probably play until the semis due to a shin injury.
San Miguel and Red Bull could well figure in a fierce showdown, just like in their two games in the eliminations. The two teams split the two matches with each one winning by a single basket.
The Alaska-Pop Cola tussle likewise looks to have the trimmings of an epic showdown. The two teams also split their two games in the elims.
The Panthers and the Aces are old, fierce rivals. The difference this time is former Alaska stars Johnny Abarrientos and Poch Juinio are on the other fence ready to wage war versus their old team.
Jojo Lastimosa, another former Alaska Ace, will be cheering at the sideline for Pop Cola as he’s still recovering from a recent knee surgery.