Key duel for in-form Kings, Enforcers today

IN-FORM Barangay Ginebra, which has never looked this fearsome in a long time, and a surprising Mahindra side that has chopped down heavyweights in an impressive run, slug it out today for at least tie for a top-four berth and a quarterfinal bonus in the PBA Governors’ Cup playoffs.

Having the most games left among the four teams still in the hunt for the last three berths, the Gin Kings are in a position to shoot for No. 1 and gain the lightest possible assignment in the first round while avoiding an early clash with defending champion San Miguel Beer.

But Ginebra would have to hurdle the Enforcers first in their 7 p.m. clash at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, where NLEX also shoots for a quarterfinal berth while trying to push GlobalPort to the cliff’s edge in the 4:15 p.m. curtain-raiser.

As of now, only TNT KaTropa is assured of a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals with a league-leading 8-1 card.

Blackwater became the first casualty of the season-closing conference after a 93-81 loss to Phoenix Petroleum on Wednesday.

A victory by the Road Warriors would virtually shut the door on the Batang Pier, who were blown off the floor on Wednesday night by Alaska.

The Texters have Star and the Gin Kings as their last assignments in the last two Sundays of the elimination round, with a sweep giving them top ranking and the right to play the No. 8 team in the quarterfinals.

After their game against the Enforcers, Ginebra will play the Fuel Masters on Wednesday and could set the tables up for a clash for No. 1 with the Texters with a victory against both. A loss in either, coupled with a victory by TNT over the Hotshots, would give TNT No. 1 spot regardless of the outcome of their Sept. 18 clash.