ALREADY assured of spots in the quarterfinals (QF) of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup, the Meralco Bolts and Star Hotshots look to put themselves in better positions in the playoffs when they return to the floor today against also-ran opponents.
The Bolts (7-2), in solo second spot at the moment, try to fortify their position in the top four, where a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarters awaits, when they collide against GlobalPort Batang Pier (3-7) in the 7 p.m. main game at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Star, meanwhile, looks to stave off being one of the lower rung teams heading into the QF when they play still-winless Kia Picanto (0-10) in the curtain-raiser at 4:15 p.m.
Meralco is currently riding a two-game winning streak that has significantly helped its push to secure one of the top four positions in the elimination round.
In their last game, the Bolts dealt a huge blow to the Alaska Aces’ playoff hopes with a commanding 106-78 victory.
Import Allen Durham was once again in his all-around self, finishing with 26 points, 18 rebounds, six assists, three blocks and a steal.
Rookie guard Mike Tolomia also had a big game of 24 points while Baser Amer had 17 to help their team to the win.
Despite the good position they are in, Meralco coach Norman black is not leaving anything to chance and is hoping to fasten their spot some more with a win over GlobalPort, which were ousted by the Blackwater Elite in its last game.
“I think you need at least eight wins to get the twice-to-beat. There’re still a lot of teams fighting for the twice-to-beat so we’d try to get more wins,” said Mr. Black after their victory over Alaska.
MOVE TO THE MIDDLE
Star, meanwhile, got a safe passage to the quarterfinals when GlobalPort got eliminated in its last game.
The Hotshots, currently at joint sixth spot, are now trying to move to the middle of the pack and establish some momentum heading into the next round.
They lost in their previous game against TNT KaTropa, 104-99, where they paraded their third import of the conference in Kris Acox, who finished with 18 points and 18 rebounds in 41 minutes on the floor but was not able to lead his team to the win.
Paul Lee and Ian Sangalang each had 17 points for Star, which is now hoping to fan its push with the conquest of Kia.
The Picanto are playing their last game of the season and are out for pride not to finish the tournament winless.
They are coming off a spirited challenge last time around where they pushed the Grand Slam-seeking San Miguel Beermen to the limit before bowing down.