Ronjay Buenafe of Burger King (left) drives against LA Tenorio of Alaska Milk during their KFC-PBA Philippine Cup game at the Astrodome Wednesday night. The Whoppers won, 87-80. (Photo by ALI VICOY)

Games Friday (Ynares Sports Center)
5 p.m. — Rain or Shine vs Alaska
7:30 p.m. — Purefoods vs Sta. Lucia

Denied twice for an outright semifinals berth, Alaska tries again this Friday against Rain or Shine while Purefoods and Sta. Lucia Realty gun for crucial wins to boost their playoff chances in the final day of classification phase of the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.

The Aces and the Elasto Painters face-off at 5 p.m. while the TJ Giants and the Realtors meet at 7:30.

While the game has no bearing for Rain or Shine (4-13) as it has secured a wildcard berth after Coca-Cola eliminated Barako Bull, 91-89, last Wednesday at the Astrodome in Pasay City, the game matters much for Alaska.

The Aces must bring their game to another level to avoid being upset again by the Elasto Painters.

A loss by Alaska and a win by Purefoods will create a three-way tie for second among the Aces, the Giants and the Barangay Ginebra Kings.

If this happens, the Kings, with their low quotient, will be relegated to the No. 2 spot in quarterfinals while The Aces and the Giants will dispute the second outright semis berth on Sunday.

A loss by both the Aces and the Giants will send the Gin Kings and Aces into the playoff for the second automatic semis berth.

“Needless to say, it’s pretty simple. We need to pick it up individually and collectively,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone, whose team also lost to Purefoods (94-77) last Sunday.

Meanwhile, PBA Commissioner Sonny Barrios fined defending champion Talk ’N Text P50,000 on Thursday for bringing the wrong set of uniforms for its road game opposite San Miguel Beer last Saturday in Zamboanga City.

Barrios also explained that what SMB wanted was to clarify things – and not to protest – with regard to the rules of the PBA when it comes to uniforms. The PBA board, in its special meeting, instructed the commissioner to study the rules and improve its policies.

TNT brought its dark uniform instead of the light ones but was given one hour grace period by Barrios – moving the game schedule from 5 p.m. to 6 o’clock to get its proper uniform.

The Tropang Texters were able to secure their light uniform and went on to beat the Beermen, 93-91.