The game is so vital that Coca-Cola coach Chot Reyes would gamble on Mark Sanford despite his injured knees.
Coca-Cola beat Talk n Text by nine points in their first meeting but the Phone Pals are given a good chance of getting even as they come into the game riding the momentum of back-to-back routs of the Purefoods Hotdogs and the Barangay Ginebra Kings.
The Tigers, meanwhile, were outclassed by the Alaska Aces the last time out.
Results of those games plus Red Bull Barako’s whipping of Purefoods Saturday paved the way for a fierce four-cornered fight among the Tigers, the Phone Pals, the Aces and the Thunder for the No. 2 spot at the close of the preliminary round.
The eventual No. 2 team joins top team San Miguel Beer in an outright entry into the quarterfinals, leaving the others disputing the last four seats in the next round in wildcard plays.
A four-way tie for No. 2 spot may ensue if Coca-Cola splits its last two games while Talk n Text, Alaska and Red Bull Barako win their last games in the prelims. The Aces take on the Ginebra Kings Saturday while the Thunder tackle the Beermen Sunday.
The tie will be resolved by playoffs.
The third and fourth placers will settle for a twice-to-beat incentive while the fifth team figures in a one-game playoff versus the No. 8 in the wild card plays.
Sta. Lucia Realty and Shell, ousted even in the fight for twice-to-beat privilege, clash in a non-bearing tiff in the day’s other game.