Globalport eyes playoffs vs NLEX

Globalport tries to snap a two-game losing streak and put a foot in the playoffs of the PBA Governors’ Cup when the Batang Pier clash with the hard-luck NLEX Road Warriors today at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

Tip-off is at 7 p.m. just after powerhouse Talk ‘N Text seeks an arrest to an alarming four-game slide against Blackwater at 4:15.

The Batang Pier will be coming off two  losses and are slightly favored over the Road Warriors, who also suffered a setback two nights ago when they came back from 29 points down only to fall short against Rain or Shine.

Globalport can end the playoff chances of the Road Warriors with a win and it would also put the Batang Pier back in the fight for a possible top four finish.

As things stand, San Miguel Beer, the new league leader at 7-2 after Barako Bull’s surprise fall against KIA Motors on Tuesday, is already assured of a top four slot and the first twice-to-beat privilege in the quarterfinals.

The Energy and idle Alaska are both at 6-2 and are just a win shy with at least  five more teams still in the running, counting defending champion Star, which is at 3-4 with four games left in the eliminations.

Like Talk ‘N Text, Barangay Ginebra is at 3-5 and not even a sweep of  its last three games could guarantee a tie for a top four berth.

NLEX is at 2-6 and the Elite are at 1-6 and losses today would virtually knock them out of further contention even as Blackwater will field a new import in Marcus Cousin, who will take the place of Marcus Douthit.

Meanwhile, Jimmy Alapag, for so long the face of the Gilas Pilipinas program, is calling on all Filipino cage fans to join in a rally starting at  12:30 p.m. today at the Red Gate of Smart Araneta Coliseum to show support for the country’s bid to bag hosting rights of the Fiba World Cup in 2019.

With only the Philippines and China left to contest hosting right, Alapag is asking the participation of fans in doing a documentary which the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas will present to the Fiba.