Magnolia Pambansang Manok and Barangay Ginebra are mired outside the top five and both need to win badly as they clash in a latest episode of the Manila Classico at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday.
The Hotshots (4-4) and the Gin Kings (2-5) are in a tight bunch behind behind frontrunners Rain or Shine (7-1), Alaska Milk (7-1), TNT KaTropa (6-2) and Meralco (6-2). But both are in high spirits especially after checking their respective skids the last time out in the PBA Commissioner's Cup eliminations.
The Kings repulsed the NLEX Road Warriors, 93-85, in a road game in Legazpi City on Saturday while the Hotshots smothered the Texters, 111-89, on a smoldering final half Wednesday over at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.
The two teams ride the crest of those stirring triumphs in their 6:45 p.m. Sunday setto.
They brace for a battle with each side looking to make a run going into the homestretch of the single-round-robin elims.
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"It's the Manila Classico and both teams need a win big time, so it will be exciting," said Ginebra coach Tim Cone.
"They're coming off a huge must-win against TNT and are confident. For us, this game could decide our playoff life. We need to be ready," Cone also said.
Needless to say, the Kings are more hard-pressed to win as they have only two wins to show with only four games left in their elims assignment.
They got some relief the last time on their crucial win over the Road Warriors where Justin Brownlee came through with 23 points, 22 rebounds and seven assists in a huge all-around performance.
The Hotshots, meanwhile, sizzled with a series of runs in the second half to end their own slump with a 22-point demolition of the Texters.
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Both Ginebra and Magnolia had lost three previous matches.
"Lahat nagtrabaho lalo na sa depensa. Nasunod ang game plan ni coach (Chito Victolero)," said Magnolia combo guard Paul Lee after the game.
Justin Jackson took a bad fall but stood up and continued to play to help the Hotshots get back on track. The second import sub of Magnolia collected a near triple-double performance with 18 points, 19 rebounds and seven assists against five turnovers.
"It's a must-win game for us so I stood up," said Jackson.(SB)
