Games Today
(Cuneta Astrodome)
4:15 p.m. – Mahindra vs NLEX
7 p.m. – Phoenix vs Alaska
Already in quarters, Phoenix wants more.
The Phoenix Fuel Masters, already assured of a quarterfinals berth, eye bigger things tonight as they take on the Alaska Aces in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Phoenix is coming off a 79-73 victory over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel last Sunday and had formally clinched a playoff berth with its 6-4 record following Blackwater’s loss to Star last Wednesday.
Fuel Masters coach Ariel Vanguardia has given his players their mission orders, which is to gain a better placing going into the quarters. They enter tonight’s 7 p.m. duel with the Aces tied with the TNT KaTropa for second place.
If they beat Alaska, then Phoenix will be in a better position to gain the twice-to-beat advantage in the quarters. A loss, however, could sent the Fuel Masters at the bottom end of the playoffs, since their string of lopsided defeats early in the conference could hurt their chances in the tiebreaker.
“There’s still nothing to celebrate,” said Vanguardia. “Pag naka-tie namin yung mga naka-tie namin, we might end up sa bottom seven or eight. Ang ano namin is to have a shot at No. 3, 4, 5 – God willing.
“We’re playing Alaska who is a familiar foe, baka sakaling ma-tsambahan namin si (Alaska) coach Alex (Compton) at si (assistant) coach Louie (Alas).”
The Fuel Masters beat Ginebra behind Fil-Canadian rookie Matthew Wright, JC Intal, Simon Enciso and Willy Wilson, who all scored in double-figures. Threes by Intal and Wright late in the game seal the win for Vanguardia’s crew.
Hours before Phoenix’s mastery of Ginebra, Alaska got itself back in contention for the twice-to-beat advantage with a 107-91 defeat of Mahindra.
Compton said the Aces, who share fourth to sixth places with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and Star Hotshots at 5-4, can’t afford to even lose at least one of its remaining two games with the playoff race still complicated as a math problem.
“Ang gulo ng standings ngayon,” Compton said. “Di natin alam kung anu mangyayari sa playoffs. Pwedeng No. 2 kami, pwedeng wala kami sa playoffs, daming scenarios. But for us, we have to win our last two games.”
Calvin Abueva, Vic Manuel, Jvee Casio and veterans Dondon Hontiveros and Tony de la Cruz lead the charge for the Aces.
Meanwhile, Mahindra and NLEX meet at 4:15 pm in a non-bearing contest of teams already out of playoff contention. The Floodbuster and the Road Warriors are tied at the bottom with their 2-7 slates.