B-Boys, Aces seek Top 6 as elims end

MANILA, Philippines - Meralco Bolts and Alaska Milk try to seal spots in the Top Six as they take on Rain or Shine and Powerade, respectively, at the close of the PBA Philippine Cup elimination round at the Araneta Coliseum today.

The B-Boys and the Aces both go for a closing 7-7 win-loss card to avoid complications of a tie for a stint in the best-of-three quarterfinals.

Powerade is out regardless of the outcome of its 5 p.m. match with Alaska while Rain or Shine needs to win by a big margin against Meralco in their 7:30 p.m. tiff to steal sixth spot.

“We’ve learned from B-MEG when they lost to Barako in their last game. We have a similar situation. We’ll need to be aware that they want to finish with a character game,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone.

“We are determined to get back on track after being derailed in our last two games,” said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio.

So determined are the B-Boys that they effected a change in their lineup heading to the playoffs.

In its final trade deal with Barako Bull approved by commissioner Chito Salud, Meralco acquired Mark Isip and Reed Juntilla for Marlou Aquino, Khazim Mirza, Pong Escobal plus a future draft pick.

Barako Bull also figured in a separate trade deal with San Miguel Beer, giving away Sunday Salvacion for Lordy Tugade and Chris Canta.

The Elasto Painters, who lost their last three games in a crucial slide, need to win by at least 21 points versus the B-Boys to salvage a spot in the best-of-three quarters.

“We have to play harder than we played in the last two games. We’re just thinking of winning and not the quotient right now,” said Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia.

The B-Boys are not taking the Elasto Painters for granted.

“Rain or Shine remains to be a potent force though struggling as of late. Their superior roster is good enough to compete against the best in the league,” said Gregorio.

“Defense will be our focal point. We gave up an average of 95 points in our last two games and it proved to be fatal. We must keep the score low to win,” Gregorio added.

Should Meralco and Alaska win, the playoff seeding will be Talk n Text at No. 1 followed by San Miguel, Ginebra, Derby Ace, Meralco, Alaska, Air21 and Rain or Shine.

Talk n Text and San Miguel enjoy twice-to-beat edge in quarterfinal matchups with Rain or Shine and Air21, respectively.

Figuring in best-of-three series will be Ginebra versus Alaska and Derby Ace against Meralco.