Aces, Hotshots to clinch q'finals berth
Alaska Aces aim to formalize its claim to a top four slot in the PBA Governors Cup quarterfinals and has two cracks at it.
The Aces intend to get the job done right tonight when they take on an NLEX side spurred by its own goals at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. Tip off is at 4:30 p.m.
A third straight win and eighth in 10 games would assure Alaska inclusion in the magic circle, which carries with it a win-once advantage over a lowerranked squad in the last eight.
For its part, NLEX is gunning for a win that would snap it out of a three-game slide and assure it of at least a playoff berth for one of the last quarters seat. The former reason is what coach Yeng Guiao is focused on.
"We are desperate for a win. As good as Alaska is playing nowadays we need to break our losing streak," stated Guiao, whose Road Warriors wind up the elims against his former team, Rain or Shine, next Saturday.
Actually, Alaska could afford to lose this one and still hit its target with a win over eliminated NorthPort on Sunday, but coach Alex Compton doesn't intend to go that route.
"NLEX and Alaska are battling for important playoff positioning," noted Compton. "This is a huge game because if we win we are guaranteed the twice-tobeat advantage."
Meanwhile,Magnolia Pambansang Manok takes its second of three cracks at the quarterfinals "bonus" while TNT KaTropa resumes chase of a quarterfinals entry as they slug it out in a vital tiff.
The Hotshots and the Texters clash at 7 p.m. in the penultimate match in the round-robin elimination phase for both squads. —