MANILA, Philippines — At one level of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup eliminations, defending champion Meralco teetered on the brink with solely three wins to indicate in its first eight outings.
However the Bolts have restored energy and racked up a pair of essential victories over Blackwater (103-85) and erstwhile streaking NLEX (108-92) to remain contained in the Final-8 cutline.
And with ninth-running Phoenix falling to 2-6 with its 99-109 loss to Rain or Shine Wednesday, the Bolts bought themselves in place to advance outright and completely extinguish the Gas Masters’ risk on the eighth seat by ending at 6-5.
However the prices of coach Luigi Trillo should do it towards fourth-running Barangay Ginebra (5-2), no much less, in an explosive rivalry matchup on the Sensible Araneta Coliseum tonight.
The Gin Kings themselves are bent on notching the required six wins for a hassle-free march to the following spherical alongside early qualifiers Magnolia (7-1), San Miguel (6-2), NLEX (6-2) and Converge (6-4).
“It must be a battle. They should win. We additionally have to win,” mentioned Meralco ahead Cliff Hodge of the 7:30 p.m. dispute for a assured stint within the quarterfinals.