RoS, BK aim for quick entry in Fiesta Cup quarterfinal round

MANILA, Philippines – Top seeded teams Rain or Shine and Burger King gun for quarterfinal berths in the Motolite-PBA Fiesta Cup, both eyeing to dispose off their respective opponents Wednesday night and avoid going through complications as the wildcard phase of the meet begins. The Elasto Painters, the no. 3 seed team, face no. 10 Barako Bull, while the fourth ranked Titans clash with no .9 Alaska Aces in a pair of thrilling games at the Araneta Coliseum. Rain or Shine definitely can end the Energy Boosters’ season with a victory and advance to the best-of-three quarterfinals against the winner of the Talk ‘N Text-Purefoods knockout game on Friday. A loss, however, gives the Elasto Painters one more shot at moving on since Barako Bull, having placed last after the 14-game elimination round, needs to win twice in a row to advance. In a last-ditch move to save its season, Barako Bull, which only had two wins in 14 games, will parade a new reinforcement in Jamaal Williams to replace Jeff Varem. Williams played before in the PBA with the Sta. Lucia Realtors in 2006-07. Unfortunately for the Energy Boosters, Rain or Shine is in a very bad mood these days, having been denied of an outright semi-finals berth last Sunday in a playoff match against Ginebra, 114-71. “Despite that big loss, we remain positive of our chances," said Rain or Shine mentor Caloy Garcia. “We have to show a lot of character in (Wednesday’s) game." The season could also end right away for Alaska, surprisingly a big letdown for a ball club that made it to the Philippine Cup Finals. Coach Yeng Guiao of Burger King, though, thinks that they will be the embattled team once they couldn’t finish the Aces. “If we don’t win it (Wednesday), we’re in deep trouble." “The only reason why they are at ninth place is because they have not been getting the breaks. They can beat any team twice. We are actually the underdogs," Guiao added. Burger King, however, has already defeated Alaska this tournament. And the result was a lopsided 106-88 victory last May 3. For Alaska coach Tim Cone, the ladder up is one tiny step at a time. “We just have to focus on getting one game before trying to win another. We like the match-up." The triumphant team that emerges from the Burger King-Alaska wild card will move on to face the winner of the Sta. Lucia-Coca-Cola knockout match in the best-of-three quarterfinal round. – GMANews.TV