Games today:
Araneta Coliseum
4:15 p.m.- Alaska vs. Barako Bull
6:30 p.m.- Meralco vs. B-Meg
Four teams eye a crucial 1-0 headstart as the short quarterfinal round of the 37th PBA Commissioner’s Cup begins today at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Alaska Aces challenge the Barako Bull Energy in the first game, while the Meralco Bolts and the B-Meg Llamados collide in the main game.
The quarterfinal round is just a best-of-three affair, hence, winning Game 1 will be crucial for the competing teams.
Barako Bull’s chemistry will be tested against Alaska as they will be parading new import Reggie Okosa, a 6-foot-10 cager who has been playing in several international tournaments.
The Energy brought in a new import after Rodney White asked to be release to attend to his ailing father in the United States.
Okosa will be Barako Bull’s third import. The Energy’s original import was ex-NBA player Dermarr Johnson, who scored 19 points when Barako Bull routed the Aces in their elimination round meeting, 98-78.
Alaska’s seven-foot import Adam Parada had 16 points in that loss.
Alaska advanced to the quarters after winning five of their nine games in the elimination round while the Energy went 5-4 (win-loss).
The main game will pit two teams playing their second game in three nights.
Meralco came from a do-or-die game against the Powerade Tigers, whom they defeated, 102-08, to book the last quarterfinal ticket.
The Llamados had a chance to skip the quarterfinals but lost to the Barangay Ginebra Kings, 84-93, in their playoff game last Friday.