MORE than vaulting out of their slide would be the primary goal of both NLEX and Blackwater when they collide Friday in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
It would be a fight for survival for both the Road Warriors and the Bossing.
A four-game losing streak has put NLEX at 2-6 and 10th-running spot, a full game out of the race for the eighth and last quarterfinals spot. But a win would surely be a tremendous boost for the Road Warriors' bid.
Worse off is Blackwater, which has lost seven straight and is at 11th on a 1-7 slate. Another loss would practically put the Bossing out in the cold.
As things stand now and depending on the results of the other games, according to league chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III, a team still has a chance of at least playing off for a quarterfinal spot so long as it racks up at least four wins.
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"Kapag nag-eight losses na isang team, medyo malabo na iyon," added Mangonon.
Currently at 3-5, Rain or Shine has the inside track on the last quarterfinals berth.
Still, hope springs eternal for both NLEX and Blackwater, even though the road before them remains strewn with enormous obstacles.
After the Bossing, the Road Warriors would be facing Converge on Jan. 10 before winding up the eliminations against Barangay Ginebra three days later.
For its part, Blackwater still has to tackle NorthPort on Jan. 5 and San Miguel Beer on Jan. 12.
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Taking care of the task at hand remains the focus of the protagonists, more so for NLEX which recently tapped multi-titled Jong Uichico as lead assistant to Frankie Lim.
Blackwater has also added at least more height and a championship pedigree to its roster by recently signing center Clifford Jopia, a key cog in San Beda's NCAA title run.(NC)
