Kings parade Freeman vs Painters

MANILA, Philippines - Rain or Shine and Barangay Ginebra, with new import Gabe Freeman, dispute the last slot in the best-of-three quarterfinals as they clash in the closing play date of the PLDT Home TVolution PBA Commissioner’s Cup elimination round at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today.

The Elasto Painters, with an even 4-4 win-loss record at joint fifth with the San Mig Coffee Mixers, and the Gin Kings, currently at seventh at 3-5, essentially fight for sixth spot in the last game of the elims set at 5:15 p.m.

The Alaska Milk Aces and the Mixers, meanwhile, battle for position from third to fifth as they mix it up at 3 p.m.

Before the tournament took a brief Lenten season break, only Talk n Text and San Miguel Beer have determined their final playoffs seedings, securing first and second, respectively.

Meralco (5-4) is assured of a spot in the Top Five but has yet to determine its final seeding, and so does Air21 (3-6) at seventh or at eighth.

Barako Bull (2-7) and Globalport (1-8) are out of the playoffs picture.

Today’s double-header determines the final elims placings and playoffs pairings in the short mid-season tourney.

“Our preparation should get us through our game versus Ginebra. We sacrificed our vacation so we can be physically and mentally sharp on Easter Sunday,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.

“If we win, we can consider this as our own resurrection this conference coming off a bad start,” Guiao added.

Ginebra is also looking for its own resurrection with Freeman, the team’s third import after Leon Rodgers then Josh Powell.

The Kings hope to salvage sixth spot to avoid a quarterfinals pairing against a team with a twice-to-beat advantage. Ginebra can catch up with Rain or Shine at 4-5 and possibly finish ahead in the standings with a superior quotient.

Guiao is wary of Freeman, a former two-time PBA Best Import awardee.

“Freeman is a match-up problem, but we are also hopeful that (Wayne) Chism will play a lot better than his last few games,” said Guiao.

Alaska and San Mig Coffee, meanwhile, both look to build momentum that they can ride on in the playoffs.

“It’s good to enter the quarters on a winning note. It will be a good omen,” said Alaska coach Luigi Trillo.

The Aces avoid complications of a tie for third place with a win over San Mig Coffee.

A four-way tie from third to sixth ensues if San Mig Coffee and Rain or Shine prevail over Alaska and Ginebra, respectively. Any tie will be resolved via quotient system.