Semis-bound Giants try to  keep top form

The Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants are not about to coast through their last two games despite claiming an outright semifinals berth. In fact, they are keen on keeping their sharp form going in two-week break before the playoffs.

The Giants play their penultimate game in the Smart PBA Philippine Cup elims today against an Alaska Milk squad out to nail a guaranteed slot in the quarterfinals.

Magnolia tackles also-run Welcoat in the 4:50 p.m. curtain raiser at the Araneta Coliseum, gunning for a playoff crack at a quarters seat.

“We play each game looking for a win and we’ll treat the Alaska game just the same. This is part of our preparation for the semis,” said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio.

“We have to find ways to stay sharp on our long rest. Winning our last two games will help us immensely,” Gregorio added.

Win or lose, the Giants are assured of top seeding in the playoffs with a 12-4 win-loss cards.

The Aces will keep their flickering hopes to salvage the second outright semis seat if they beat the Giants and close out their elims stint at 11-7.

Having the inside track in the fight for No. 2 seeding is Sta. Lucia at 11-6. The Realtors join the Giants in early passage into the semis if they win their last game in the elims against the Air21 Express Sunday.

Magnolia, at 9-8, is looking at an automatic entry into the quarterfinals.

The Beverage Masters need to beat the Dragons to assure themselves of at least a playoff for the last outright quarters slot.

Still out to catch Magnolia at No. 5 are Talk n Text at 8-8 and Barangay Ginebra at 8-9.

The Giants clinched the top-seeding in the playoffs with a 101-87 demolition of the Coca-Cola Tigers Sunday.

The Realtors stayed in the Giants’ coattails as they nailed a franchise-record seventh straight victory by routing the Beverage Masters, 99-77, on the same day.