Petron, Rain or Shine try to finish off quarterfinal foes and gain remaining semis slots
Games today:
Ynares Center, Antipolo City
5:15 p.m.- Brgy. Ginebra vs. Rain or Shine
7:30 p.m.- Petron vs. Meralco
The Petron Blaze Boosters and the Rain or Shine Elasto Paintes try to clinch the remaining semifinal slots against separate foes today in the quarterfinal round of the 37th PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The Painters take on the Barangay Ginebra Kings in the first game while the Boosters battle the Meralco Bolts in the main game.
Rain or Shine and Petron are both up in the series, 1-0, in a short race-to-two affair.
The Painters displayed a never-say-die spirit when they nipped the Kings in the series-opener, clawing back from a 13-point deficit to start the fourth quarter for a 112-105 overtime victory.
The Boosters, meanwhile, rode on the endgame heroics of playmaker Alex Cabagnot for a 94-81 win against the Bolts at the start of their their own quarterfinal series.
Cabagnot highlighted his brilliant endgame showing by converting back-to-back four-point plays in the crucial moments of the game.
Two teams are eyeing seats in the semis, which will be played in a best-of-seven affair.
The winner in the Ginebra-Rain or Shine tiff will next play the Powerade Tigers, while the victor in the Petron-Meralco battle will next meet the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters.
The twice-to-beat Texters advanced to the semis by defeating the Barako Bull, 81-79, while the Tigers secured their own semis berth by overhauling a twice-to-beat disadvantage against the top seed B-Meg Llamados.
Powerade first defeated B-Meg, 97-88, and completed the upset with a resounding 131-123 overtime victory last Sunday.
Gary David starred in that gigantic Powerade win by exploding for 37 points—a scintillating follow-up to his 32-point in the two squads first meeting.
