Back where they’d been — on top – after the All-Filipino eliminations, the Thunder have a chance to pick up the pieces of their shattered dream in the first conference and reign supreme in an import-laced tourney for the third time in the league’s last eight conferences.
The Thunder, who dominated the elims with a record run of 10 straight victories and a total of 11, are looking for only nine more wins to complete the feat.
They start to chase that goal as they play the Talk n Text Phone Pals in the opening game of the quarterfinals at 4 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum today.
Sister squads Coca-Cola and Barangay Ginebra open their own quarterfinals matchup at 6:30 p.m.
Red Bull Barako had been in the same situation after a swashbuckling showing in the All-Filipino elims. However, the Photokina franchise floundered in the playoffs as they lost key players Jimwell Torion and Davonn Harp on alleged drug test failure. Talk n Text stole the All-Filipino crown over Coca-Cola.
But the Thunder have regained their mean form on the return of Torion and Harp and the entry of talented import Scott Burrell. Emerging the No. 1 team in the elims, Red Bull Barako is the odds-on pick against Talk n Text in their best-of-three quarters duel.
Though admitting they’re feeling some pressure, Barako coach Yeng Guiao believes pressure is much heavier on the Phone Pals after they beat them convincingly Wednesday.
"The burden of adjustment is on them because we played zone all throughout in our last game and they weren’t able to solve it," said Guiao.
"We have that advantage in terms of adjustment kasi if they able to solve our zone tomorrow (tonight), may nakahanda pa kaming defensive adjustments," Guiao added.
Does Burrell fear the law of averages finally catch them? "Palagay ko hindi dahil lalong gumaganda ang ensayo niya at lalong gumagaling," said Guiao of Burrell, who has yet to suffer a single defeat in 10 games in the local pro league.
Having serious concern is coach Chot Reyes although his Tigers also had an impressive stint in the eliminations, finishing second behind the Thunder.
"The No. 1 question is how sharp are we going into the quarterfinals as we will be playing only our third game in three weeks," said Reyes.
And though they beat the Kings twice in a row in the elims, Reyes said they surely can’t guarantee a third one because they’re facing a different Ginebra team.
"This is a brand-new ballgame since they now have Rosell Ellis as their import and Eric Menk back in their lineup. Since the arrival of Ellis, Ginebra has become a different team just because of the attitude Ellis brings in the game," said Reyes.
"And with Menk back in harness, naging grabe lalo ang size ng Ginebra. Imagine, they have Romel Adducul and Alex Crisano coming off the bench. Kailangan namin trabahuhin ang rebounds," Reyes added.