Kings, Llamados dispute semis seat

MANILA, Philippines - Crowd favorites Barangay Ginebra and B-Meg clash today at the Cuneta Astrodome on one side of a double-playoff that provides a fitting end to the tight and intense PBA Commissioner’s Cup elimination-round plays.

The Kings and the Llamados go for the second outright semifinal berth while the Powerade Tigers and the Meralco Bolts knock each other out for the sixth and last quarterfinal slot.

Talk n Text has clinched the first automatic semis berth while Alaska Milk and Barako Bull have secured spots in the quarters.

A 16-point rout by Ginebra of Air21 Wednesday gave the Kings a crack at an outright semis entry versus the Llamados, who were 109-93 winners in their elimination-round tiff on March 11.

“At least we’ve got a chance and we’ll do our best to pull it off,” said Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen.

The loser in the Ginebra-BMeg playoff settles for a spot in the best-of-three quarters.

For the Tigers and the Bolts, a loss means the end of their campaign in the mid-season tourney.

“We understand the urgency of our situation. We know what will it take to advance. Nothing is going to be easy. We intend to do just that,” said Powerade coach Bo Perasol.

“(It’s our) last chance to book a ticket to the playoffs. This is an opportunity that we must seize and not let go,” said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio.

Gary David sizzled with 29 points and drew plenty of help from Dwayne Jones and Marcio Lassiter as the Tigers drubbed the Bolts, 94-82, in their elims faceoff.