MERALCO needs to get the job done today or be left facing an enormous task in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
Clinching the No. 2 spot is the primary goal of the Bolts when they tangle with an NLEX crew driven by its own ambition.
San Miguel Beer and Alaska collide in the nightcap, with the stakes higher for the Aces.
A win by SMB will be its fourth while a loss will drop it no lower than fifth. Either way, the Beermen will figure in a best-of-three quarterfinals duel with either the No. 4 or No. 5 teams.
Not so for Alaska, which needs to win against SMB and NorthPort at eliminations end tomorrow to finish seventh. Just one loss in the Aces’ last two games would automatically shut the door on their bid for inclusion among the last eight.
The Bolts are eyeing a win that will automatically give them second spot just right behind eliminations topnotcher TNT and the last win-once advantage in the next round.
A loss would put Meralco in a must-win situation in just over 24 hours against Ginebra tomorrow for the Bolts to tie third-running Magnolia at 8-3. Coach Norman Black and his charges would still take second by virtue of their 95-94 squeaker over the Hotshots last Sept. 1.
Another loss means Meralco winds up with a 7-4 card and third while Magnolia nabs second.
The sense of urgency should at least be as heightened for NLEX.
The Road Warriors could wind up as high as six or finish a rung lower, depending on the results of their match against the Bolts but also the other remaining matches, particularly the NorthPort-Alaska tussle ending the eliminations on Thursday.
NLEX coach Yeng Guiao and his charges would not want to drop to seventh and be placed in a twice-to-win handicap against the No. 2 team, whichever it may be.
“We are still hoping to avoid the twice-to-beat disadvantage,” said Guiao yesterday.
“Beating Meralco will give us the chance to make sixth place even if it is not totally under our control.”
Meralco has racked up back-to-back wins even with Cliff Hodge and Chris Newsome not being able to play and with Aaron Black getting sidelined by a hand injury. Hodge and Newsome are expected to be cleared to play today, giving Black additional weapons.
“Meralco has been solid even without Hodge, Black and Newsome in their last games,” noted Guiao, while stressing his team should be pumped up and ready to follow up their 90-73 win over Blackwater last Thursday.
“The almost one week break we’ve had has gone a long way for our recovery and preparation,” said Guiao. “We expect to give them a good run for their money.”
