Action heats up on elims’ final day
Credit to Author: JOSEF T. RAMOS, TMT| Date: Tue, 02 Apr 2019 16:36:54 +0000
Magnolia guns for a quarterfinal slot while Northern Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and Northport aim for crucial wins in the last day of the elimination round of Season 44 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup today at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Hotshots (5-5 win-loss record) eyes No. 6 as they face the Road Warriors at 4:30 p.m.
Losing to NLEX would make the Hotshots fall to the eighth and seventh places though still armed with a twice-to-beat disadvantage against No. 1 seed Phoenix Pulse (9-2) and No. 2 team Rain or Shine (8-3) in the quarterfinal.
“We need to get that win in order to secure automatically the sixth spot and face No. 3 Ginebra. NLEX is also motivated to beat us because if they win, they can also end up at the sixth spot,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero, adding that injured Jean Marc Pingris will not return in the playoff round.
“Ping is going to be available I think by next conference.”
A victory by Magnolia over NLEX would boost Alaska’s playoff chances. The Aces (4-7) could tie the Road Warriors (4-6) at No. 8 and force a knockout playoff game for the last quarterfinal spot if NLEX lost to the Hotshots.
NLEX can still make it to No. 6 and avoid an early clash with the No. 1 and 2 teams who are both armed with twice-to-beat if they beat Magnolia.
“That’s our main objective, finish at No. 6 and avoid an early clash with twice-to-beat teams if we finish seventh or eighth,” said NLEX coach Yeng Guiao. “All out effort and preparation to win tomorrow. We know their guards can score and Ian Sangalang will be also there. We are preparing for them.”
Northport is in a must win game at 7 p.m. against an already QF-qualified Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
The No. 7 Northport (4-6) is on a hunt for a third consecutive win vs Ginebra. The No. 7 team will automatically face No. 2 Rain or Shine while Top seed Phoenix Pulse battles the No. 8 team in the quarterfinal round.
No. 3 Ginebra will face the No. 6 team in the best-of-three quarterfinals.
The post Action heats up on elims’ final day appeared first on The Manila Times Online.