Cyrus Baguio of Barangay Ginebra pops a jumper in heavy traffic during their game against Coca-Cola Friday night at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City. The Gin Kings won, 113-104. (Photo by MARIANNE BERMUDEZ)

KFC-PBA Philippine Cup
y-Alaska (8-1, .889)
San Miguel (7-2 .778)
Talk ’N Text (6-3 .667)
Ginebra (6-3, .667)
x-Sta. Lucia (5-3 .625)
x-Purefoods (4-4, .500)
Burger King (3-6, .333)
Barako Bull (2-7, .222)
Rain or Shine (2-7 .222)
Coca-Cola (1-8 .111)

x – Playing at presstime
y – Clinched quarterfinals berth
Games this Sunday (Ynares Sports Arena)
4:00 p.m. – Burger King vs. San Miguel
6:30 p.m. – Barako Bull vs. Alaska

Alaska Milk tries to cement its hold on the lead this Sunday when it battles Barako Bull while San Miguel hopes to repair its shattered image against Burger King in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City.

Seeking an outright semis berth, the Aces shoot for their 9th win when they collide with the Energy Boosters at 6:30 p.m. while the Beermen open the second phase of the elimination round against the Burger King Whoppers at 4 p.m.

The Aces have won their last two games to boost their record to 8-1, which assured them a quarterfinals berth in the season-ending tournament.

San Miguel dropped its first two assignments but its 117-99 win over the Whoppers turned its fortunes around as the Beermen won their next seven games.

But the luster of their winning streak disappeared after absorbing an embarrassing 109-96 loss to Smart Gilas national team the other day in Antipolo.

Though it was just an exhibition, Beermen must amend for their folly the last time around if they want to regain the respect of their fans.

Burger King lost to defending champion Talk ’N Text, 105-118, also last Friday despite taking a 30-point lead (49-19) early in the second period.

The loss ended BK’s two-game winning run.

This will also be the second time that BK will face SMB after trading

Arwind Santos to the food and beverage company. Santos torched his former team with 28 points, 18 boards, two assists and three steals in their initial encounter which they won easily.

Though the Energy Boosters have only two wins to show in 9 outings, Alaska coach Tim Cone is not going to take them lightly since he’s aware that Barako Bull is capable of beating them.

In their first meeting last October 14, the Aces trailed 38-41 at halftime break and needed a third quarter explosion to settle the issue – big thanks to former two-time MVP Willie Miller who posted a rare triple-double performance. Miller tallied 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists.

While Cone expects a tough game, he hopes that they have learned their lessons from a recent setback to Rain or Shine (81-86) that snapped a six-game streak.

“We’ve got three words for our guys as we prepare for Barako Bull – Rain or Shine,” Cone, whose team is coming off back-to-back wins, said. “We’ll see if we learned our lessons and come out better prepared to meet their challenge.”

Cone said the key for them is to control the boards, set their half-court game and deny the Boosters from dictating the tempo with its running game.

Barako Bull has dropped its last five games, but coach Leo Isaac remains optimistic of their chances, saying their wins over Coca Cola and Rain or Shine were a proof that they can compete at a high level.

“We just have to stay focused, keep on playing and believe that we can win,” Isaac said.

Aside from limiting Miller, the Energy Boosters will also have to contain other Alaska players including LA Tenorio, Sonny Thoss, Joe Devance, Tony dela Cruz, and Reynel Hugnatan, while hoping that he gets solid games from rookie Ogie Menor and veteran Leo Najorda.