WILD CHASE FOR BONUS
Magnolia, Phoenix aim for QF advantage
Magnolia and Phoenix aim to boost their respective bids for a playoff bonus when they take on separate foes in the 2023 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, Dec. 20.
Both already assured of a spot in the quarterfinals, the Fuel Masters (6-1) seek better positioning when the face the Northport Batang Pier (5-3) in the first offering at 4 p.m while the Hotshots (7-1) hope to keep their top spot against the Terrafirma Dyip (2-5) in the main event at 8 p.m.
The owner of the season’s longest active win streak so far at six, the redhot Phoenix has its eyes set on the Top 4 spots which dangle a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
“It's good we're in the quarterfinals right now, but we still need to win some more and, hopefully, get that twiceto-beat advantage,” said the Fuel Masters head coach Jamike Jarin who will be once again leaning on import Johnathan Williams and veterans Jason Perkins and Jjay Alejandro to lead the charge for his crew.
Of course, contributions from young guns Tyler Tio and rookies Ken Tuffin and Ricci Rivero are deemed crucial especially against a dangerous Batang Pier side which is not only determined to get back on track but also acquired new weapons to boost its playoff bid.
“They've got some new players, Allyn Bulanadi, Ben Adamos, Kris Rosales who can give us problems,” he added.
Magnolia, meanwhile, should be eager to bounce back especially after seeing its 18-game win streak all the way from the PBA On Tour snapped in the Cagayan de Oro clash with the resurgent Rain or Shine.