PBA chase pack out to start big push

MANILA, Philippines — With early quarterfinalists Magnolia and Phoenix enjoying the inside track in the jockeying for the four playoffs incentives, now’s time for the chase pack to start their big push.

Holder Barangay Ginebra (4-2), San Miguel Beer (3-3), TNT (3-3) look to boost their respective bids while Blackwater (1-6) seeks to stay alive in the race as they figure in today’s PBA Commissioner’s Cup double-header at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Gin Kings and the Beermen collide at 8 p.m. with the former out for a quick bounceback from their 77-82 loss to the Fuel Masters and to move closer to a quarters ticket, and the latter bent on snapping a two-game slide.

The Tropang Giga hope to sustain the momentum from their come-from-behind 113-97 romp over NLEX in eyeing win No. 4 against a Bossing side that has lost six straight after a triumphant season opener.

Six wins will enable the aspirants to follow the Hotshots (7-0) and the Fuel Masters (6-1) into the Last-8. But they need more than that to get a Top 4 spot and twice-to-beat advantage in the quarters.

TNT is tackling this race with a lineup that’s missing top scorers Mikey Williams and RR Pogoy and reliable bigs Poy Erram and Justin Chua. Veteran guard Jayson Castro even missed their last game due to hip strain.

Coach Jojo Lastimosa said they must be able to overcome this by going the extra mile.

“Antagal na naming pinag-uusapan iyung part ng game na supposed to be we can control – effort. We’re getting beat in rebounding, transition defense, boxing out, all effort parts,” said Lastimosa.

“We’ve been talking about that and somehow, eventually, the players have to decide na sa amin na ito ngayon. Kasi hindi kami nagkukulang ng paalala sa mga players,” he added.