EJECTED the last time these two teams played, James Yap (left) of San Mig Coffee eyes payback against Jireh Ibañez and Rain or Shine.
SAN MIG Coffee and Rain or Shine clash today in a PBA Philippine Cup game that could very well determine who finishes No. 2—and avails of the second twice-to-beat advantage—in the season-opening tournament’s playoffs at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Game time is at 6:30 p.m. with the odds just about even as the Elasto Painters and the Mixers have both been playing well lately even as Barangay Ginebra tries to equal the conference’s longest winning streak in the earlier game.
The Gin Kings, with a five-game winning streak on the line, battle Barako Bull in the 4:15 p.m. contest, seeking a victory that would also seal their place in the upper half of the standings.
Defending champion Talk ‘N Text has bagged top seeding with a 95-82 ripping of Petron Blaze last Wednesday, leaving the fight for No. 2 between the Elasto Painters and the Mixers.
San Mig Coffee still has three games left counting its battle with the Painters, who have managed to hold their own in the tournament even if last year’s top rookie Paul Lee is still recuperating from a shoulder operation.
Alaska boosted its bid to stay out of the last two playoff spots with a 101-95 victory over Globalport in Dipolog City.
“With our quotient, I have a feeling we’ll get a shot at the best-of-three,” said Alaska coach Luigi Trillo after the victory.
Calvin Abueva finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Aces to their seventh win in 13 games.
The Aces and the Bolts will secure a place in a best-of-three quarterfinal series if they hurdle their last foes or if the Petron Blaze Boosters, who are at 6-7, drop their last outing.
The scores:
ALASKA 101—Abueva 21, Casio 18, Baguio 11, Dela Cruz 11, Baracael 11, Espinas 10, Jazul 7, Eman 4, Reyes 2, Hontiveros 2, Thoss 2, Belasco 2, Laure 0.
GLOBALPORT 95—Miller 22, Guevarra 17, Manuel 16, David 7, Salvador 6, Mandani 6, Deutchman 5, Yee 4, Vanlandingham 4, Antonio 3, Lingganay 2, Vergara 2, Al-Hussaini 1, Crisano 0.
Quarters: 28-25, 46-40, 73-61, 101-95