Batang Pier vs Star Hotshots

GRAND Slam champions Purefoods Star Hotshots, which landed fifth in the current PBA Governor's Cup despite eking out an 87-82 win over Blackwater Elite Tuesday evening at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, arranged a quarter-finals showdown with Global Port Batang Pier.

The latter snatched a twice-to-beat advantage following a rousing 117-104 win in overtime over league leader Alaska Aces in the first game.

The Star Hotshots needed an Aces victory to move up to fourth spot and earn the twice-to-beat privilege in the quarters but Batang Pier showed too much firepower and never let their guards down to humble the Aces who sat out import Romeo Travis in the second half.

Purefoods head coach Tim Cone, in a story on GMA News, said: "I really truly believe that they are (Alaska) under no obligation to win a game for anybody except for themselves. Despite not playing their import, [they] still battled and lost in overtime. If we can ask for anything, that is all we can ask for."

Cone added that Alaska's loss, which relegated the Star Hotshots to fifth place, was no big deal having been in the same situation in the past.

Meanwhile, Alaska and San Miguel, each toted 8-3 win-loss card to grab the first and second spots, respectively, while Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and Global Port Batang Pier had identical 7-4 mark to take the third and fourth places, respectively.

The top four teams will have to be beaten twice by their respective rivals in the bottom eight.

Talk N Text Tropang Texters (5-6), Meralco Bolts (5-5), Barako Bull Energy (6-5) and Purefoods Star Hotshots (6-5) took the next four positions but games were still ongoing as of Wednesday presstime that may change their current standings.

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