Giants, Realtors target outright quarters berths

Purefoods Chunkee and Sta. Lucia Realty seek to clinch the two remaining outright seats in the quarterfinals while Alaska Milk and Coca-Cola try to improve their carry-over records in the wildcard round as they mix it up in the penultimate play date of the Talk n Text PBA Philippine Cup classification round at the Araneta Coliseum today.

It’s the Realtors against the Tigers at 4:35 p.m. then the Chunkee Giants versus the Aces at 7:20 p.m. with the Talk n Text Phone Pals likely to be keen observers in the sideline.

Talk n Text, with a 9-8 win-loss card, is the only team with an outside chance of gaining outright quarterfinals seeding besides Purefoods and Sta. Lucia which both are a game ahead at 10-7.

But the Giants and the Realtors will dash the Pals’ hopes if both emerge triumphant tonight.

The Pals get a crack at a playoff should either the Giants or the Realtors lose. In such scenario, coach Derrick Pumaren and his boys go for the equalizer when they tangle with the Barangay Ginebra Kings in the main feature on Christmas Day.

A special treat awaits PBA fans on Christmas Day as the upper box B and general admission sections of the Big Dome will be opened free to the public for the final playing day of the classification phase.  

"This is our treat for the fans on Christmas day, our way of thanking them for their continuous support to the PBA through all these years," said PBA commissioner Noli Eala.

The Dec. 25 doubleheader also features San Miguel Beer versus Air21 in the 2:30 p.m. curtain-raiser.

To avail of the free tickets, PBA fans only need to bring proof of purchase of any product of the league’s 10 teams or from any retail chains around the Araneta Coliseum. Bottle caps of Ginebra, San Miguel, Coca-Cola and Red Bull will be accepted. Redemption centers are found in Farmers Plaza, Ali Mall and Fiesta Carnival and fans can avail themselves of the promo starting today.

Games will have bearing up to the end since teams in the lower half of the chart, except Welcoat, are still looking to boost their stock for the wildcard round.

"(The Purefoods-Alaska tiff) definitely has bearing (in the standings) and we expect them to come out strong. We need to formalize our entry into the quarterfinals while they need to improve their carry-over record," said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio.

"Coming off a loss, we want to bounce back and win a game before the Christmas break," Gregorio added.

Marc Pingris is a doubtful starter for Purefoods since he’s just been discharged from hospital confinement for amoebiasis.

"Marc had missed three practices and is a doubtful starter. But I’ve seen something good developing. Jondan Salvador is back and has been performing well in our games," said Gregorio.

The eventual sixth placer will be joining Alaska Milk (7-10), Air21 (7-10) and Coca-Cola (4-13) in the wildcard round. They play one round-robin with the top finisher gaining the last slot in the quarterfinals. A team which sweeps three games gains automatic playoff berth regardless of its finish in the round.