Burger, 'Rain' out to boost semis bid

MANILA, Philippines - Burger King and Rain or Shine press their bids for an outright semifinals seat as they take on Talk n Text and Barako Bull, respectively, today in the Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference at the Astrodome.

The Whoppers and the Elasto Painters go all out to stretch their streaks and close in on win No. 9 which could be the magic number for at least a playoff for an automatic semis entry.

Rashad Bell, coach Chot Reyes’ original choice as import, has arrived and has been measured unofficially at the PBA office. At presstime, Talk n Text, however, had yet to notify the league if it’s playing Bell today.

The Tropang Texters split their two games with Forbes, staying with an even card (6-6) at joint sixth with the Sta. Lucia Realtors with two games left in the classification round.

The Texters need to sweep their last two games against the Whoppers today and versus the Alaska Milk Aces next Wednesday to get a playoff crack at an outright semis seat or a slot in the Top Four.

“(We have a) big game versus a hot team,” said Reyes. “I hope we can start stringing some wins together.”

With a 2-10 card, Barako Bull, meanwhile, has long been out of the fight for a top slot in the playoffs.

The Energy Boosters, however, are also raring to pick up wins to build momentum for the wildcard round.

But they’re up against the Elasto Painters who are coming off a 118-116 overtime win over the Tropang Texters last Wednesday despite missing a conference-worst 20 free throws.

It was the second straight win by the Elasto Painters, who also dealt San Miguel Beer its first loss in nine games two Saturdays ago.

Rain or Shine defeated Barako Bull, 91-83, in their first meeting when ROS was still reinforced by Charles Clark III and the Energy Boosters by Scott McFadgon.

Now the Elasto Painters have a tougher reinforcement in Jai Lewis, who has been averaging 24.3 points, 16.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists.

The Energy Boosters are currently with their third import in Daryan Selvy, who came in two games ago for Jeff Varem. But that hasn’t stopped them from losing a conference-high six straight, the Energy Foods franchise’s longest slide since dropping eight straight in the season-opening Philippine Cup.