Blaze Boosters try to tie Gin Kings on top

Games today:

Araneta Coliseum

5:45 p.m.- Air21 vs. Talk ‘N Text

8:00 p.m.- Barako Bull vs. Petron

DROPPING TWO of their last three games dislodged the Petron Blaze Boosters atop the standings but they’ll have a chance to recover lost ground when they play the Barako Bull Energy Colas in today’s main game of the 39th PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Boosters look to catch up with sister-team Barangay Ginebra Kings, who occupy the number one spot with nine wins and two losses. Petron is at second place with an 8-2 (win-loss) card.

The Boosters occupied the number one spot for most of the time until they went on a mini slump that saw them losing back-to-back games.

Petron’s first loss was dealt by the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, who hacked out a 99-95 overtime win in their Dec. 21 meeting. Petron top big man June Mar Fajardo of Cebu went down with a knee injury and his absence was greatly felt in the team’s 83-97 loss to Ginebra.

Without Fajardo, the Boosters still found a way to end the slump when they shocked the defending champions Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters, 105-91 last Dec. 28.

The Energy Colas, meanwhile, are out to break free from a five-way tie at the fifth to ninth spots. All sporting 4-7 records are Barako Bull, Meralco, San Mig Coffee, Alaska and GlobalPort./EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA