SEVEN teams have put a lock on a spot in the quarterfinals. The next goal is to win more games they possibly can to make at least the Top Six, if not the Top Two.
Rain or Shine and Barangay Ginebra are on that bunch, both safely into the quarters but are still in danger of finishing at No. 7 or even at No. 8.
They try to boost their stocks at each other's expense as the Elasto Painters and the Gin Kings square off in a crucial PBA Commissioner's Cup duel Wednesday at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.
Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. with the combatants both chasing win No. 7.
"Naka-anim na panalo na kami. From the start, habol namin pitong panalo para sigurado sa quarters at maka-iwas sa No. 7 and No. 8 (which will have a twice-to-win disadvantage). Subukan natin, baka kayanin," said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
Sponsored content: The Elasto Painters are upbeat, having arrested a two-game funk then getting a six-day breather ahead of their game versus the Ginebra team which, on the other hand, is coming off an 86-91 loss to TNT.
"Malaking tulong sa amin (winning over NorthPort the last time out). To arrest a losing skein is a morale booster. And we need a lot of that going to our game against Ginebra," said Guiao.
"Ako naman, malaki ang tiwala sa team namin for as long as we're competing. In our two previous games, we competed halfheartedly, hindi madiin, hindi determinado," said Guiao of losses to Phoenix and Converge that snapped their five-game streak.
Regaining good rhythm and good touch, Deon Thompson and his teammates checked their slump with a 127-107 rout of NorthPort Thursday over at the PhilSports Arena.
The win shoved the Elasto Painters back in the thick of things - the Top Two within sight as they play their last thee games versus Ginebra, NLEX and TNT.
Sponsored content: Coach Tim Cone's troops, meanwhile, have the E-Painters and the Meralco Bolts as their last two assignments. (SB)
