San Miguel Beermen eye top ranking

BILLY Mamaril of Ginebra goes for a layup off Raymond Almazan of Rain or Shine in their match Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Painters won, 100-90, to become the first semifinalist. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

MANILA, Philippines — Weather permitting, San Miguel Beer shoots for top playoffs ranking even as Globalport and Meralco dispute the last twice-to-beat privilege as the curtains fall on the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations at Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.

Though coming off just their second loss of the season, the Beermen remain to be highly favored when they collide with ousted newcomer Blackwater in the 4:15 p.m. contest.

San Miguel cannot afford an upset since it will fall into a second place tie with Alaska and Talk ‘N Text, which would then give the Aces the second outright Final Four seat after Rain or Shine when the quotient system is applied.

The Elasto Painters secured the first berth on Sunday after a 100-90 mangling of Barangay Ginebra, giving them their seventh straight victory.
Marching into the semifinals outright would mean a break of at least 10 days, something which Rain or Shine worked so hard to get with some of its players nursing injuries.

Globalport and Meralco clash in the 7 p.m. game even as defending champion Purefoods tangles with Barako Bull in a no-bearing game at 2 p.m.

The tournament will play its first tripleheader this season after canceling a Petron Saturday Special schedule in Dipolog where the Star Hotshots and the Energy were supposed to play because of Tropical Storm “Ruby.”

Purefoods will have to beat a higher-ranked foe twice in the first phase of the quarterfinals regardless of the result of its clash with the Energy as the Star Hotshots will qualify sixth at best after having lost to the Batang Pier and the Bolts.

Whoever wins between the Bolts and the Batang Pier will be the No. 5 team and in the event of a Purefoods win, the loser would be ranked seventh.

June Mar Fajardo, the reigning MVP, Arwind Santos, the MVP two seasons ago, and the pair of hardworking shooting guards Chris Lutz and Marcio Lassiter are what the Elite need to stop in order to entertain thoughts of notching their first PBA win.

The Elite are the only winless team in the field and, like fellow newcomer KIA Motors, got the boot.

Player of the Week

Meanwhile, Beau Belga has made it clear that he won’t rest until Rain or Shine completes its unfinished business of winning the Philippine Cup title this season.

Belga finished with 16 points that triggered ROS’ 98-95 victory over Alaska last Friday. Although the Elasto Painters rely on Paul Lee during crunch time, coach Yeng Guiao couldn’t be happier everytime Belga steps up.