By Olmin Leyba
PACESETTING Magnolia and second-running Meralco clash while NorthPort continues its quarterfinal push against winless Blackwater today as the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup returns to the Smart Araneta Coliseum after its Antipolo swing.
The Hotshots (7-1) and Bolts (6-2) collide at 6 p.m., both determined to stay ahead in the chase for the top four seeding and twice-to-beat edge in the Last-8.
“We have to have that proper mindset in this stretch, that playoff mentality already,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero, whose charges have three elims assignments left, including this one, to nail that coveted win-once bonus.
The Hotshots enter the marquee matchup at the now full capacity-ready Big Dome on a high, thanks to their 104-87 rout of powerhouse San Miguel Beer (SMB) last Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
“I think with the leadership of Mike Harris, Paul Lee and Rafi Reavis, naging maganda ang takbo ng defense namin last game. If we can maintain that, we’ll be okay,” said Mr. Victolero.
More than drawing level with Magnolia, the Tony Bishop-reinforced Bolts are extra motivated following their 94-93 heartbreaker to Alaska last Saturday.
“Important game for us against the top team in the elims. We need this win if we want to gain the twice-to-beat advantage,” said Meralco’s Norman Black.
“We must slow down their fast-paced offense and do a good job against their full-court pressure.”
The resurgent Batang Pier (3-5), meanwhile, gun for their fourth straight victory and a share of eighth spot at 3 p.m. versus winless Blackwater (0-8).
After claiming the scalps of Meralco, Magnolia and Phoenix, coach Pido Jarencio cautioned the Batang Pier against complacency versus a Bossing side bent on ending a 27-game futility over the last two years.
The Bossing are looking to avert a second consecutive 0-11 conference.
“We won’t stop working hard in practice to earn that elusive win,” Blackwater’s Ariel Vanguardia said. “(JVee) Casio is fully healthy, so does (Kelly) Nabong and our import (Shawn Glover) has been consistent. We feel we are near that W.”
Meanwhile, Jericho Cruz, the latest member of the Rookie Draft Class of 2014 to exercise his option to be an unrestricted free agent, completed his move from NLEX to San Miguel Beer on Tuesday. The Fil-Guamanian guard out of Adamson signed a three-year deal with the Beermen, where he is reunited with his college coach Leo Austria. Mr. Cruz is expected to make his SMB debut tomorrow against Rain or Shine.