Crucial matches up for Hotshots, Bolts

MANILA, Philippines - The PBA Commissioner’s Cup enters the homestretch of its one-round elimination stage today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, featuring a double-header pitting teams out to stay on track for the Top Two versus embattled opponents trying to stay alive.

Title-holder Purefoods Star tangles with Barako Bull at 4:15 p.m. then Meralco tackles Alaska Milk at 7 p.m., kicking off the final week of the elims where the fight for the Top Two and last four slots in the playoffs remain wide open.

The Bolts (6-2), the Hotshots (6-3), the Talk n Text Tropang Texters (6-3) and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (6-3) are in a spirited race for the Top Two spots which reward twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals.

NLEX looks safe in the quarters at 5-4. Still in tight spots are Barangay Ginebra, Globalport, Barako Bull and Kia, which are tied from sixth to ninth place at 4-5, just half-game in front of Alaska (3-5) and a full game ahead of San Miguel Beer (3-6).

With just 13 games left, the competing teams are bunched together closely, guaranteeing fierce battles to the end of the elims.

Purefoods and Rain or Shine stayed in the battle for the Top Two after grinding out decisive victories in their last games.

The Hotshots outlasted the Texters, 118-117, in an epic triple-overtime battle in Davao City Saturday while the E-Painters outfought the Gin Kings, 82-79, in a highly charged duel at the Cuneta Astrodome Sunday.

The Hotshots have gone on a two-game run with returning import Denzel Bowles while the Energy have gone down from the top to a precarious position after losing five of their last six games.

The Energy are up for another tough test especially with Bowles spared of a major injury in a tremendous collision with Matt Ganuelas in their game Saturday.

After the incident, Bowles sat out precious minutes in the first overtime but returned to deliver all big plays for the Hotshots in the next two extension plays.

Meralco and Alaska are tipped to figure in a battle with the former back into the groove with import Josh Davis back in top shape while the latter, the losing finalist in the all-Filipino tourney, seems to have also recovered its competitive form.

“It’s a big game for both teams. They are trying to stay alive, and we are trying to stay on track for the twice to beat advantage,” said Meralco coach Norman Black.

“Defense will be important for us as we try to limit an explosion from (Damion) James while also keeping their bigs off the offensive board. In the end, our ability to handle their full court pressure will be the key,” Black also said.