Boosters try to stay at 3rd, battle Energy

MANILA, Philippines - Resurgent Petron Blaze tries to keep its spot at No. 3 and close in on the leaders as it tangles with unpredictable Barako Bull in a key PBA Philippine Cup match-up at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum tonight.

The Boosters have picked up three straight victories for a 6-3 card, putting them back on track, just one game behind second running Rain or Shine (7-2) and 1 1/2 game off pacesetting defending champion Talk n Text (7-1).

But the Energy are also one game behind the Boosters at 5-3, making their 5:15 p.m. encounter a must-see.

“We’re looking at it one game at a time and our next focus is Barako Bull, which really played well in the first round,” said Petron Blaze coach Ato Agustin in Filipino. “We need to be ready against them, we’re really gunning for a win because we know we still have a chance at No. 2.”

The Boosters are playing without injured Dondon Hontiveros, Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Jay Washington but have dishing out great games behind Arwind Santos, Alex Cabagnot, Joseph Yeo and rookie Chris Lutz.

“We’re making do with what we have and I’m happy our other guys are stepping up,” said Agustin.

Meanwhile, Barako Bull coach Junel Baculi hopes to get some production from new player Jimbo Aquino, who was acquired in a three-team trade involving top rookie Allein Maliksi.

“Jimbo (Aquino) is practicing with the team right now, we’re breaking him in for tomorrow’s (today’s) game but it will take time for him to get along with the team’s system,” said Baculi. “But we need a shooter like Jimbo in our team.”

In the other game, Powerade (3-6) and Alaska Milk (1-7) hope to stay in the playoff race as they collide at 7:30 p.m.