MANILA - San Miguel Beer will try to clinch one of the two outright semifinal berths when it takes on cellar-dweller Barako Bull in the 35th PBA-KFC Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome today.
The Beermen, carrying a 12-3 card, only need to win one of their three remaining matches to assure themselves of an automatic entry into the semis.
This is now the scenario after defending champion Talk ‘N Text lost to Ginebra, 105-82, on Wednesday. The setback was the Tropang Texters’s sixth in 16 matches.
The loss also meant any team that tallies its 13th win will make the semis outright.
Alaska, with its 11-2 slate, is the only other team capable of reaching the 13-win limit.
But if both the Beermen and the Aces lose their remaining games, Ginebra and Talk ‘N Text will go to the playoff along with the Beermen and Alaska for the semis seats.
San Miguel Beer is highly favored in their 5 p.m. encounter against the Energy Boosters, whom they crushed 104-89 in the first round on Nov. 15.
Sta. Lucia, fresh from its 95-91 victory over Rain or Shine also Friday, is also expected to prevail over Burger King in the second game.