Pals seek outright entry into quarterfinals

Talk n Text Pals takes its chance to go straight to the quarterfinal round as it clashes with Ginebra in a Christmas Day battle at the close of the double-round Talk n Text PBA Philippine Cup classification phase at the Araneta Coliseum today.

Coach Derrick Pumaren and his troops took an extra boost in their campaign Friday as Coca-Cola and Alaska Milk foiled Sta. Lucia Realty and Purefoods in their bids to clinch the last two automatic berths in the quarters.

Should it beat Ginebra in their 5 p.m. tiff, Talk n Text automatically joins Red Bull in the quarters, leaving Sta. Lucia and Purefoods to dispute the last outright quarters slot in a playoff.

A loss will relegate the Pals to the wildcard round with Alaska Milk, Air21 and Coca-Cola.

Pumaren admits it won’t be easy hurdling a Ginebra team on seven-game roll.

Ginebra coach Jong Uichico, for one, has declared they will go all-out to win although they have secured outright entry into the semifinals.

"We’ll come out and play our usual game. For as long as we have a game to play, we’ll play the way we should play," said Uichico.

The Kings have gained top seeding in the playoffs with an impressive 13-4 win-loss record that includes a victory over the Pals in their previous encounter.

After this Christmas Day game, the Kings will enjoy almost a month-long break before plunging back into action in the semifinal round.

San Miguel Beer, which clinched the other outright semis slot, plays its final game in the classifications against an Air21 at 2:30 p.m.

The Express are looking to catch up with the Alaska Aces at 8-10 going into the wildcard round beginning next month.

The Coca-Cola Tigers will be carrying over a 5-13 record. The other wildcard round competitor will be either the Realtors, the Giants or the Pals.

As things stand, Alaska, Air21 and Coca-Cola may need to win four straight games to make it to the quarterfinals. They need to sweep three games in the wildcard to gain a playoff berth.

"We’ll kick our behinds during the holidays. We’ll try to make the best preparation for the wildcard If we still don’t make it, then we would have no regrets," said Alaska coach Tim Cone.