Hotshots, Bolts in crucial tiffs

Games Today (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 4:15 p.m. – Purefoods vs Barako Bull 7 p.m. – Alaska vs Meralco

The battle for the twice-to-beat advantage intensifies as defending champion Purefoods and solo leader Meralco seek victories against separate rivals today in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Purefoods aims to ride on the crest of its triple overtime win against Talk ‘N Text over the weekend when it battles Barako Bull in the 4:15 p.m. opener before Meralco looks to tighten its grip on the solo lead against Alaska at 7 p.m.

With the race for the two playoff bonuses still wide open, both teams are eager to keep their winning ways.

Purefoods plans to continue its form, especially after needing three extra periods to defeat TNT, 118-117, at the over-hot University of Southeastern Philippines gym in Davao City last Saturday.

Import Denzel Bowles played heroically for the Hotshots with 30 points, including the game-winning shot with 7.1 seconds left.

Bowles’ basket was so difficult, his body almost turning back to the basket, that it was later called ‘magical’. He also had 15 rebounds and four blocked shots as Purefoods gained a share of second at 6-3 with Talk ‘N Text and Rain or Shine.

The energy-sapping out- of-town duel didn’t prevent Purefoods from resuming practice yesterday at Ronac gym, with James Yap even saying that the win in Davao gave them renewed vigor.

“Maganda naman ang naging ensayo, focus namin is itong game na. Sobrang importante iyung naging panalo namin sa Talk ’ N Text, kaya mataas ang energy,” Yap said after yesterday’s practice.

Purefoods faces a Barako team that has lost its last three games, in- cluding Friday’s 98-85 setback to Meralco that sent the Energy down to 4-5.

That game was beneficial for Meralco as it snapped a two-game skid and eventually reclaim the solo lead at 6-2 following TNT’s loss.

A healthy import Josh Davis collected 32 points and 19 rebounds in the win that gave Meralco a boost against Alaska.

“It’s a big game for both teams. They are trying to stay alive, and we are trying to stay on track for the twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs,” said Meralco mentor Norman Black.

“Our team defense will be important for us as well as we try to limit an explosion from James while also keeping their bigs off the offensive boards. On the other end, our ability to handle their full-court pressure will be the key,” added Black.

Alaska won its previous assignment, beating Blackwater, 82-68, last Wednesday that ended a three-game slide. Damion James has averaged 30.3 and 16.3 in four games as replacement to DJ Covington.

That win of Alaska improved its record to 3-5, keeping the team’s playoff hopes since only the top eight will advance to the quarterfinal round while the bottom four will be eliminated automatically.

Alaska is fighting for playoff berths with NLEX (5-4), as well as Barako Bull, Globalport, Barangay Ginebra and newcomer Kia – teams that have 4-5 slates.

Ginebra and Globalport joined Barako and Kia after losing their respective matches last Sunday at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Globalport succumbed to NLEX, 94-81, while Ginebra absorbed a heartbreaking 82-79 defeat to Rain or Shine.

Alaska and Barako would like to capitalize on those losses to catch up in the playoff race.

However, it will be a tough mountain to climb as they battle two of the league’s best teams.