Rain or Shine, Coke seek crucial wins

MANILA, Philippines - Rain or Shine and Coca-Cola will be out to contest the slot left open by skidding Barangay Ginebra as they take on separate opponents tonight in the PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

RoS tackles Air21 at 5 p.m. then Coke tangles with Sta. Lucia at 7:30 p.m. with the Elasto Painters and the Tigers pursuing the last outright quarters slot which the Ginebra Kings left available in losing their last three games in the double-round elimination phase.

Victories by both the Elasto Painters and the Tigers will set them up for a virtual playoff Sunday for a shot at the No. 5 seeding against the Kings.

Rain or Shine sets out with Rod Nealy in tow, hoping the former Ginebra import could help reinvigorate the team.

“We have to grab the opportunity given us. We hope Nealy would provide us intensity and energy,” said Garcia, whose charges are coming off three straight losses.

The Tigers are enjoying the momentum of a two-game run but coach Bo Perasol said that doesn’t guarantee a ride all the way to an outright quarters seat.

“I don’t think it becomes easier just because we’ve got a chance in the quarterfinals. But we’ll definitely come out with a mindset of playing a playoff game,” said Perasol.

The Tigers are up against a team already priming up for the wilcards while the Elasto Painters are up against a foe looking to make the last cut.

Air21 clinches the last slot in the playoffs and sends Barako Coffee to the exit in case the Express beat the Elasto Painters.

Meanwhile, San Miguel Beer and Alaska Milk depart for Dumaguete where they play in an equally important match tomorrow at the Lamberto Macias Sports Center.

The Beermen seek a playoff crack at an outright semis berth while the Aces are out to muddle up the race among SMB, Alaska and B-MEG Derby Ace.

San Miguel and Derby Ace are tied at 12-5, a game in front of Alaska Milk at 11-6.