4 teams mix it up for crucial wins in PBA Commissioner’s Cup today

Games today:

Araneta Coliseum

5:15 p.m.- Barako Bull vs. Petron

7:30 p.m.- Rain or Shine vs. B-Meg

THE Barako Bull Energy and the Petron Blaze Boosters cross paths with both teams gunning for a crucial win today in the first game of the 37th PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Also eyeing a pivotal win are the B-Meg Llamados, who will take on the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the main game.

Barako Bull, Petron and the Air21 Express are tied for the sixth to eighth spots with three wins and four losses.

Only six of the 10 competing teams will advance to the playoffs with the top two seeds earning automatic semifinal berths.

The Llamados and the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters are tied at the top with similar 5-2 (win-loss) records.

The Barangay Ginebra Kings and the Powerade Tigers occupy the third to fourth spots with identical 4-3 slates.

The Alaska Aces are at solo fifth place with an even 4-4 record. The Llamados are looking for a win that could them an inside track of taking one of the two outright semis berths.

“We’d like to get to the top two. That’s the ultimate goal,” B-Meg coach Tim Cone told pba.ph.

The Elasto Painters are at the bottom of the standings with only two wins to show in seven games but Cone said the Yeng Guiao-coached could not be taken lightly.

Although mired at the bottom of the standings, Rain or Shine somehow stayed in contention after trashing the Express, 113-83, last Friday.

“We’re not losing hope. Whatever happens, we’ll try to win our next two games,” said Guiao, whose squad squad is looking to tie the Meralco Bolts, who are at eighth spot with three wins and five losses.

The 10 competing teams will only play nine games in the elimination round.  /EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA