Desperate times for Barako Bull, Air21 in PBA PH Cup

Games today:

Araneta Coliseum

4:15 p.m.- Barako Bull vs. Meralco

6:30 p.m.- Air21 vs. Barangay Ginebra

THE BARAKO Bull Energy Cola and the Air21 Express try to keep their flickering playoffs bid alive when they play separate foes today in the 38th PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Barako Bull plays the unpredictable Meralco Bolts in the first game, while the Express tackle the streaking Barangay Ginebra Kings in the main game.

With the elimination round now entering its homestretch, Barako Bull and Air21, both in the middle of a three-game losing streak, are hard-pressed to win their remaining assignments. Only the top eight teams after the 14-game elimination round will advance to the quarterfinal round while the bottom two squads will be eliminated.

Barako Bull is currently ranked ninth in the standings with a 3-8 (win-loss) card, while Air21 is at eighth spot with four wins and eight losses. Globalport is at the last spot with woeful 1-10 record.

The Bolts and the Kings are gunning for crucial for victories that can improve their seedings going into the playoffs.

Currently at solo fourth place with a 6-5 card, Ginebra is on a tear as it won its last four games to move to the upper part of the rankings. The Bolts are tied with the Alaska Aces for the fifth and sixth spots with identical 6-6 records.

The Bolts had the chance to tie the Kings but succumbed to the Aces last Wednesday night, 85-88.

Though they are likely to earn playoff spots, the Kings and the Bols still need to win games to avoid facing the top two seeds, who will be armed with twice-to-beat advantages.

Tournament format states that the top two quarterfinalists will enjoy twice-to-beat edges over the lower-ranked foes. The No. 3 team then takes on No. 6 and No. 4 faces the No. 5 in a best-of-of three series. /Editorial assistant Calvin Cordova