MANILA, Philippines - All eyes will be on Air21 tonight as it takes on also-ran Powerade hoping to hurdle the first of two obstacles blocking its way to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoffs.
Talk n Text and Barangay Ginebra, fancied teams which have secured places in the playoffs, square off in the other Araneta Coliseum weekend game with both just looking to build momentum they can ride on in the post-elims play.
Smart Gilas, Alaska Milk and Rain or Shine are three other teams which have put a lock on a spot in the playoffs.
Air21 has two remaining games (versus Powerade and Alaska Milk) left in the elims, and the Express need to sweep these to grab the last slot in the quarterfinals.
One loss will send Air21 to a three-way tie at fifth place with B-MEG Derby Ace and Rain or Shine at 4-5.
In such scenario, the Llamados and the Elasto Painters gain the last two seats in the quarters due to superior quotients.
Derby Ace clobbered Air21 by 29 points; Air21 beat Rain or Shine by two; and Rain or Shine beat Derby Ace by one.
“We kept alive our playoff hopes, and it’s up to the players to nurture it,” said Air21 coach Bong Ramos after his team breathed back life to their playoff hopes with back-to-back wins over Rain or Shine and Meralco.
Ramos said they’re taking it one game at a time, wary of a Powerade team playing with no pressure at all.
Powerade coach Bo Perasol said they would definitely give their best as they want to end their short-lived Commissioner’s Cup stint on a winning note.
The Texters and the Kings likewise promised all-out effort in a game they can afford to lose.
“We play only one way in all the games we play – all out,” said Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes.
“We messed up big time in our last game and we’ll see if we can make up,” Reyes added.
In its farewell game in the tourney, Meralco salvaged some measure of pride and respect as it outlasted Smart Gilas, 91-87, in overtime in their Phoenix Fuel-sponsored road game in Tacloban, Leyte last night.
Champ Oguchi sizzled with 10 of his 21 points in the extra period and the B-Boys roared on, ending their stint in the tourney with a 3-6 card.