Three teams jockey for finals berth in the PBA

MANILA—Three of the four teams still in the hunt for the last finals berth see action in a pair of all-important matches Wednesday in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup semifinals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Petron Blaze is heavily favored to defeat sister squad B-Meg in the 5:30 p.m. game, after which the Boosters play the role of hopeful spectators in the 7:45 p.m. match pitting Rain or Shine against defending champion Alaska.

For the Boosters to make the best-of-seven title series against idle Grand Slam-seeking Talk ‘N Text, the Elasto Painters must drop at least one of their final two matches.

Rain or Shine controls its own fate. A victory today coupled with another one over Barangay Ginebra at the close of the semifinals on Friday would put the Elasto Painters in their first title series stint—regardless of a Petron sweep of its final two outings.

Alaska—even if it beats Rain or Shine tonight—hinges its hopes on the Painters beating the Gin Kings and on Talk ‘N Text turning back Petron on the same day.

In the event of a tie with any team, the Aces, who ruled this tournament with the dynamic Diamon Simpson last season, would lose in the quotient system.

As it stands, only the Llamados are out of contention, and this is the reason why the Boosters have a huge edge going into tonight’s crucial contest.

B-Meg import Myron Allen has been such a disappointment for coach Jorge Gallent that he wasn’t fielded in the final 18 minutes of a losing stand against the Aces last Sunday.

Should Rain or Shine prevail, the Painters would still need a victory over Ginebra. In case the Gin Kings win that game, Petron could still make the Finals with a victory over the Tropang Texters on the same day.

Alaska will have Jay-R Reyes for today’s match after the 6-foot-7 slotman escaped suspension for planting a forearm in the head of Jerwin Gaco Sunday. He was tossed out for a Flagrant Foul 2 and was fined P20,000.