COLUMBIAN shoots for a quarterfinal spot on Friday when it tackles Barangay Ginebra on Friday in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The Dyip are looking to avoid complications by winning over the Gin Kings in their 7 p.m. encounter. Columbian will be shooting for its fifth win, which will assure the Dyip of the seventh seed in the quarterfinals.
A loss for the Dyip will send them to different scenarios, including a possible playoff for the eighth and final spot in the quarterfinal round.
Columbian though has lost two straight games heading into the game against Ginebra. The Dyip lost to Meralco, 92-74, last November 8 to fall to a 4-6 win-loss record.
The quest is also expected to be tough since Barangay Ginebra is in a bid to clinch a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
"This is the best Columbian team we've ever studied for since they entered the league," Kings coach Tim Cone said of the team reinforced by Khapri Alston. "Their import complements what they do, and they've got a very active system."
"We know this win will get us into the top 4. We also know a win for Columbian will get them into the playoffs. There's a lot at stake in this game," the league's most successful coach added.
At fourth place with a 6-3 win-loss record, the Gin Kings are eyeing to win one of their final two games in order to get the quarterfinal incentive. Ginebra gained a shot at the twice-to-beat incentive following a 96-93 win over TNT last November 8.
In the first game, Phoenix Pulse and Blackwater close their respective campaigns when they clash at 4:30 p.m.
One team will break their losing skids in the clash. Both sporting a 2-8 win-loss cards, the Fuel Masters have lost four straight games, while the Elite dropped their last five matches. They are also out of contention for quarterfinal seats.
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