Alaska, Magnolia gun for QF bonus; NLEX, TNT try to inch closer to playoff spots

Chris Banchero and the Aces are going for a dash to the quarterfinal bonus up the Antipolo plateau. PBA Media Group (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Two matches with huge playoff implications will take place on Friday night as the PBA Governors' Cup returns to the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

NLEX will face off with Alaska in the first game at 4:30 p.m., while Magnolia and TNT will collide in the second game at 7 p.m.

Both at 4-5, the Road Warriors and the KaTropa can assure themselves of at least a playoff for the eighth quarterfinal spot with separate victories.

Meralco and Rain Or Shine, which are just below the two aforementioned squads in the standings, will keenly observe the said games as they will hope for both NLEX and TNT to bow to their respective foes for them to stay in the playoff hunt.

On the other hand, the Aces and the Hotshots have other plans than breaking out of a three-way tie with Barangay Ginebra for the top spot.

A win by both Alaska and Magnolia will hand them the first two twice-to-beat advantages in the quarterfinal stage with one game each to spare.

But both teams would rather want to clinch the berth immediately as they will only have one day to prepare for their final assignments on Sunday night against NorthPort and Ginebra respectively.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno