Air21 fights for life

Games today:

Araneta Coliseum

5:15 p.m.- Globalport vs. Air21

7:30 p.m.- Petron vs. Alaska

DOWN TO THE last three playdates, the elimination round of the 38th PBA Philippine Cup resumes today with three teams gunning for critical victories at the Araneta Coliseum.

The ousted Globalport Batang Pier plays the Air21 Express in the first game, while the Petron Blaze Boosters and the Alaska Aces collide in the main game.

So far, only two things are certain: the defending champions Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters are already assured of the top seed going into the quarterfinal round and Globalport is already out of contention.

Global Port was the first to get the boot after managing just one win in 12 games.

Air21 is fighting for dear life as it currently tied with Barako Bull Energy Cola for the eighth and ninth spots with identical 4-9 (win-loss) records.

The bottom two teams will be eliminated after the 14-game elimination round.

Petron and Alaska are already assured of quarterfinal slots but they still have to win their last elimination round games to earn a higher seeding in the playoffs.

Securing a win will enhance the two teams chances of playing in a best-of-three series instead of having to overhaul a twice-to-win handicap against the top two seeds.

Petron is currently at seventh place with six wins and seven losses. Alaska, which is on a two-game winning streak, is in a three-way tie with the Barangay Ginebra Kings and Meralco Bolts for the fourth to sixth spots with similar 7-6 slates.

The Aces defeated the Boosters in their first meeting last Oct. 19, 88-86, while the Express prevailed over Globalport, 88-81, in their Oct. 7 duel. /EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA