Beermen cinch to enter finals; wild race for rest

MANILA, Philippines – Looking at the playoff chart, league experts and watchers foresee classification round topnotcher San Miguel Beer going all the way to the Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference finals, facing either Barangay Ginebra, Purefoods or Talk n Text.

The consensus is that the Beermen would breeze through in their bracket while the Kings, the Giants and the Tropang Texters are likely to figure in a mad rumble in their own group in the playoff phase, which begins tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Ginebra’s Ronald Tubid and Coca-Cola’s Asi Taulava were named co-winners of the Motolite-Accel Player of the Week honors for the period May 20-24.

Tubid led the Kings to an outright semifinals entry while Taulava powered the Tigers to seeding No. 8 in the playoffs.

Rain or Shine and Burger King go for the kill versus Barako Bull and Alaska Milk, respectively, in Day One of the playoffs. Being seeded Nos. 3 and 4, the Elasto Painters and the Whopper enjoy twice-to-beat advantage over the Energy Boosters and the Aces in their match-ups.

Pitted in knockout matches are Sta. Lucia Realty versus Coca-Cola and Purefoods against Talk n Text.

Burger King, Alaska, Sta. Lucia and Coca-Cola are in the top bracket with San Miguel while Barako Bull, Rain or Shine, Purefoods and Talk n Text are in the bottom bracket with Ginebra.

The Beermen and the Kings are seeded in the semifinals being the top two teams in the classification round.

“Our bracket is tougher because in there are Purefoods and Talk n Text which are really strong teams. San Miguel has a distinct advantage over all the other teams in its bracket,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.

The Ginebra mentor expects the Beermen to easily hurdle any team they face in the semifinals.

But San Miguel coach Siot Tanquingcen doesn’t think so.

“I believe all the teams in the PBA right now are capable of beating anybody in any given night,” said Tanquingcen. “Burger King, Sta. Lucia, Coca-Cola and Alaska are all dangerous opponents. We’re not going to take them lightly.”

San Miguel has emerged the top favorite to win the championship after dominating the classification round. The Beermen won their first eight matches before suffering their first loss when they were already assured of a playoff for an outright semis slot.

They finished way ahead of the rest of the field despite losing three of their last six matches.

And the Beermen aren’t about to relax.

“We’re focused on winning our semifinal series. We’re not concerned on the other bracket. We would worry about them only once we make the finals,” said Tanquingcen.