All-Star co-MVP winner Japeth Aguilar and the rest of the All-Star participants from Barangay Ginebra and NorthPort now have to put the All-Star fun behind them.
They will be back in serious business as the Gin Kings and the Batang Pier clash in the closing match in the PBA Philippine Cup elimination round at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night.
The Kings, already posted at third spot at 7-3, look to keep a winning momentum going into the playoffs while the Batang Pier fight for an automatic quarters entry in the crucial 7 p.m. setto.
Regardless of the outcome of the game, Ginebra will be the playoff third seed going up against the sixth seed in a best-of-three showdown.
But coach Tim Cone insists they want to keep the momentum heading to the post-elims play.
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The Batang Pier are the ones hard pressed to win to avoid complications of a tie at No. 8 spot. A loss could well mean figuring in a playoff to make the Final Eight.
But coach Pido Jarencio and his troops automatically join early quarterfinal qualifiers Phoenix Pulse, Rain or Shine, Ginebra, TNT KaTropa and San Miguel if they hurdle the Kings.
"Needless to say, we'll do our best to make it to the quarterfinals without the need to go through a knockout game," said Jarencio.
"We have this opportunity right in front of us, syempre gusto namin masungkit ito," Jarencio also said.
The Batang Pier rallied into strong contention for the playoffs after back-to-back victories TNT KaTropa (109-83) and Alaska Milk (94-84). Before that, the Batang Pier teetered on the brink following six consecutive losses.
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And Jarencio is thankful to the All-Star break they were able to rest and refresh following their back-to-back games against the KaTropa and the Aces.
Having lesser preparation for the next game is Barangay Ginebra since a number of Gin Kings joined the PBA All-Star bandwagon in the Calasiao All-Star festivities.
Playing in the All-Star Game were Aguilar, Greg Slaughter, LA Tenorio, Scottie Thompson and Mark Caguioa. Participating in other All-Star activities were Kevin Ferrer and Prince Caperal.
Stanley Pringle, Mo Tautuaa, Robert Bolick and Lervin Flores were NorthPort players that participated in the Calasiao event. (SB)
