PBA: The Magic Number is 5!

MANILA, Philippines – With four playing days to go in the current PBA Commissioner’s Cup, the battle for the remaining spots is heating up. And to make it to the next round, 5 wins seems to be the only assurance of moving on.



San Miguel Beer has already been eliminated from the race, something unusual while Smart Gilas has officially booked the first semi-finals seat. Powerade and Meralco still have slim chances but this would depend on them winning their last outing and hoping that one of the two teams (Air21 and Rain or Shine) lose their remaining games.

Technically it is possible for the two teams to make it, even if it is a long shot. But what makes the task daunting is that their opponents are at the top of the standings and are likewise aiming for the last semi-final’s birth. Smart Gilas bagged the first one already with a 110-101 win over Ginebra yesterday.

The Tigers will face the rejuvenated Air21 Express, a team that has won two in a row with the influx of new veteran and championship-experience players in Danny Seigle, Dondon Hontiveros, Dorian Pena and Paul Artadi.

The Bolts will have to contend with a powerhouse Smart Gilas squad on their end. Even though they have already qualified for the semis, you can bet that Coach Rajko Toroman and his boys are not about to take it easy on Meralco in Tacloban City this Saturday.

For the Air21 Express, a win over the Tigers could ease pressure for them to make it to the next round since they also have to meet the Alaska Aces in the last playing day of the PBA eliminations on April 6 at the Araneta Coliseum.

As for B-Meg, their last assignment is against the Talk ‘N Text squad. This will happen tomorrow (April 1) at the Araneta Coliseum. The game is important for both teams with the Texters eyeing the second semi-final slot and B-Meg hoping to solidify its entry into the next phase.

Alaska is also keen on getting a win tomorrow, making it an interesting matchup with the Elasto Painters who have to win to stay on track going onto the next round.

While Alaska and TnT are vying for the outright semis birth, Air21 and the RoS are playing for survival. It doesn’t get any closer than this so expect a wild finish in the remaining PBA elimination games.

NOTES: Danny Seigle is living up to his billing. Given the new lease on life, the Dynamite has been producing consistent numbers and has been a key contributor in the last two wins of the Express…Are their trades set to be announced after this conference? Looks like two teams are set to make one but let us wait for more concrete leaks on this one…Chris Tiu did not play last night and during his interview, took it all in stride. However he did ask “Kuya” Dennis Espino to spare him from future christenings and hopefully it would not happen again.

source: mb.com