ROS, Blackwater try to draw near QF bonus in PBA Friday flurry

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By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Rain Or Shine and Blackwater aim for a higher chance of taking the other twice-to-beat advantage in the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals as they will take on separate opponents in a crucial Friday elimination round twinbill at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.

The Elasto Painters will face the slumping Meralco Bolts at 4:15 p.m., while the Elite will battle the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel at 7 p.m.

ROS is currently tied with GlobalPort in second place at 5-3, while Blackwater is not far behind at 5-4, presently in a logjam with Phoenix and TNT for fourth place.

The nightcap, however, is expected to be hotly-contested as Ginebra also seeks to improve its own chances of landing the second seed in the next round.

The curtain-raiser can also be compelling as Meralco looks to fight for its tournament life, for another loss will officially knock the team out of playoff contention.

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