TWO teams with similar lofty goals aim to hit their respective target when Magnolia and streaking Meralco duke it out at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the PhilSports Arena.
The Hotshots are bidding to notch a 10th win in 12 games that would greatly boost their chances of grabbing the No. 2 spot behind sure eliminations topnotcher Bay Area and the last twice-to-beat advantage in the eight-team quarterfinals.
Another win against Rain or Shine on Friday and Magnolia would have that coveted slot locked up.
The Bolts, on the other hand, want to stretch their winning skein to four, improve to 5-5 and stay on track of a quarterfinals seat.
After Magnolia, Meralco next takes on NLEX on Wednesday before winding up the eliminations against San Miguel Beer two days later.
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More wins in those remaining games and the Bolts would be assured of a quarterfinals slot and even secure a best-of-three match in the next round.
The top two teams after the 12-game eliminations would be assured of a win-once advantage over the Nos. 7 and 8, respectively, while those ranked third to sixth would engage in race-to-two duels pitting No. 3 versus No. 6 and No. 4 against No. 5.
"Very important game, lalo na ngayon because we have a chance to get that No. 2," noted Magnolia coach Chito Victolero after his team's path to second got paved when erstwhile contender Barangay Ginebra lost to NLEX last Friday that dropped the Gin Kings to 7-3.
"Additional motivation sa amin iyon kasi... at least ngayon mas malaki chance namin at nasa kamay na naman namin kapalaran namin. Before kasi kahit manalo kami walang kasiguraduhan," added Victolero.
Meralco has had ample rest since beating TNT 97-91 last Nov. 16. Ditto for Magnolia, since its own three-game winning run got cut short by an 89-95 loss to Bay Area last Nov. 19.
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"Nagamit namin iyung pahinga, hindi lang para makapaghanda kundi para na rin ma-condition namin sarili namin para sa playoffs," said Victolero while predicting that the task at hand should be tough enough.
"I think it would be more of a defensive game at lagi naman iyan basta kami ng Meralco. And they are also playing well," offered Victolero.
"I think it will boil down to execution on both ends of the floor. Ang laban diyan, possession by possession, defensive intensity. Lagi naming ganyan kapag kami naglaban." (NC)
