By REYNALD MAGALLON
It’s survival of the fittest and elimination of the not-so lucky ones.
That has been the rule of nature and that should also be the case for the four remaining teams who are primed to go all-out in their do-or-die quarterfinals games in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Terrafirma tries to pull off what was once only unthinkable when it eyes for a repeat against the top seed San Miguel while Rain or Shine and TNT duke it out for their own conclusion to their epic best-of-three affair on Wednesday, May 15.
The Dyip clash anew against the Beermen, now disarmed of their twice-to-beat advantage, in the first offering at 4:30 p.m., hoping to replicate the Game 1 win and notch the franchise’s breakthrough semifinals appearance.
The Elasto Painters, likewise, are looking to break into the semis party, after denying the Tropang Giga their seat in Game 2 to force the decider now set at 7:30 p.m.
Winners of the two games then find themselves at collision course, joining other semifinalists Barangay Ginebra and Meralco, which will be battling a seven-game series in their own bracket.
While Terrafirma certainly has all the momentum of its side after pulling the rug from under the twice-to-beat San Miguel, 106-95, the Dyip are refusing to count the Beermen out knowing full well how much championship experience and poise the top seed boasts.
“Well of course, it’s a different story, this is a champion team so we’ll do our part,” said head coach Johnedel Cardel.
“Champion team ito eh sanay sila down, sanay sila lamang they have been through it all so parang iyon we have to be the one extra mature, extra careful extra disciplined down the stretch,” echoed Isaac Go who keyed the win behind his six triples to finish with career-best 22 points.
Aside fromGo, there’s also Juami Tiongson, Stephen Holt, Javi Gomez De Liano and Kemark Carino forming a potent team proven capable of toppling the powerhouse SMB that has June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez, Marcio Lassiter and Terrence Romeo.
Over at the other game, ROS head coach Yeng Guiao is hoping that the tides have finally turned to their side following their 121-113 Game 2 win.
The Elasto Painters are aiming to keep the high-octane offense against the Tropang Giga who have been dealing injuries to veteran stars Kelly Williams and Jayson Castro along with Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser who also hurt his knee last game.
“When it’s a high scoring ball game.We have a better chance of winning kapag mabilis ang laro kapag nakaka run out kami sa transition namin mas malaki chance namin manalo,” said the fiery mentor who is expected to bank on young guns who ran the show in Game 2 in the likes of Santi Santillan, Jhonard Clarito, Adrian Nocum and Andrei Caracut.
Of course, out to bring their A-game are TNT’s vaunted duo of Calvin Oftana and RR Pogoy. After taking turns in Game 1, it was only the latter who delivered in Game 2 with 28 points while the former was limited to just 11.
