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| PBA (file photo) |
By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA--Only one team among Blackwater and Rain Or Shine will go on to the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals as both clubs will engage in the wildcard playoff on Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The Elite and the Elasto Painters will lock horns one more time at 7 p.m. for the eighth and the final seat in the next round.
Both teams actually had good starts to the tournament only that they fumbled at the homestretch.
Blackwater started the conference at a surprising 4-2 record and was even in the race for a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
But the Leo Isaac-mentored squad lost four of its last five assignments that sent the club in danger of missing the knockout stages outright.
The team another crack at the quarterfinals when ROS, which appeared to have moved on from the departure of Coach Yeng Guiao and Paul Lee after starting the Philippine Cup at 5-2, lost its last four games including a late meltdown at the hands of Alaska on Wednesday night at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.
The winner of the do-or-die match-up will face San Miguel in the next round.
"Kailangang i-survive yung Friday, and then saka namin poproblemahin ang San Miguel," said veteran Elasto Painter Beau Belga.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
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