Petron Blaze takes on Barako Bull

MANILA, Philippines—Petron Blaze collides with unpredictable Barako Bull even as Powerade tries to halt its slide in the PBA Philippine Cup Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Boosters, toting a 6-3 card, will gun for a fourth straight win at 5:15 p.m. as they pursue the No. 2 slot against the fourth-running Energy (5-3).

“Our chances to snag the No. 2 spot are bright. We just have to keep on working hard,” said Petron Blaze coach Ato Agustin.

The Energy gifted the Alaska Aces with a breakthrough victory with their listless play before coming down hard on the Powerade Tigers, 117-78, a week later.

Then Barako Bull shot down the high-flying Rain Or Shine in a recent encounter.

The Tigers (3-6) will try to stop a three-game spin against the Alaska Aces (1-7) later at 7:30 p.m.

Despite a freakish 96-98 defeat to Meralco Wednesday, things are looking up for the Tigers, who finally got top overall pick JV Casio into the groove to complement scoring king Gary David and fellow rookie and Smart Gilas teammate Marcio Lassiter.

After 14 elimination-round games, the top two ballclubs earn a twice-to-beat edge over the Nos. 7 and 8 teams while squads ranking third to sixth figure in a crossover best-of-three quarterfinals for the right to advance to the best-of-seven semifinals.

Rookie-sensation Chris Lutz came back from a hamstring injury and helped the Boosters down the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in their last win.

Arwind Santos, Petron’s double-double guy, will again be at the forefront of the Boosters’ offense along with Alex Cabagnot, Joseph Yeo, Dennis Miranda, Danny Ildefonso and a bunch of role players now in the mix because of injuries to Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Jay Washington and Dondon Hontiveros.

The Energy will rely on top-level veterans Willie Miller, Danny Seigle, Sunday Salvacion, rookie Dylan Ababou and sophomore player Jimbo Aquino, who was shipped by Barangay Ginebra recently for Allein Maliksi.