PHOENIX, ROS EYE EARLY QF ENTRY
UNDEFEATED Phoenix and red-hot Rain or Shine are both aiming for an early quarterfinal entry when they clash at 4:30 p.m. today in Season 44 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Fuel Masters shoot for their sixth consecutive win after surviving Northern Luzon Expressway, 83-82, in the endgame on Friday.
Phoenix coach Louie Alas is expecting a deadlier and wiser Rain or Shine that beat Northport, 107-100, on Friday.
“It is going to be tighter. Rain or Shine has already beat half of the heavyweights in this conference so it is a major concern for us,” said Alas.
JC Intal is out for a second straight game because of a fractured left hand, which is estimated to heal in six weeks.
“We have to make sure not to forget our identity, which is defense. We’re winning because of our defense,” added Alas.
Matthew Wright posted 17 points, six
Phoenix’s hard-earned win over NLEX.
Rain or Shine, currently No. 2 with 5-1 win-loss record, wants a share of the top spot with Phoenix.
“We know every game is important. At least if we pull off a win against Phoenix, we’ll be ahead by half a game or take the lead but we do not know who will step up among them,” said Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia.
James Yap and Beau Belga are expected to deliver anew for Rain or Shine.
“We have to trust each other and prepare. We just have to watch out for their defense. It’s going to be a tough game. Whoever has a deeper bench will win,” he added.
In the 6:45 p.m. game, defending champion San Miguel Beer (4-3 winloss record) aims for back-to-back wins when it faces Magnolia (0-1).
The Beermen are coming off a 93-79 win over Blackwater behind June Mar Fajardo’s 20 points, 21 re-
performance.
The Hotshots, meanwhile, are keen to bounce back from their 75-80 loss to TNT KaTropa in their opening game.