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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Virtual do-or-die for cellar dwellers

Virtual do-or-die for cellar dwellers

Published Dec 5, 2025 11:54 am

At A Glance

  • It's a battle between cellar-dwelling teams desperate to breathe life to their flickering playoff hopes in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Saturday, Dec. 6.
It’s a battle between cellar-dwelling teams desperate to breathe life to their flickering playoff hopes in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Saturday, Dec. 6.
Stuck at the bottom of the standings, Terrafirma takes on fellow struggling team Titan Ultra in the first game at 5:15 p.m. while the Blackwater looks to break out of the slump against Phoenix in the second game at 7:30 p.m.
The contests are virtual do-or-die games for the four teams.
The Dyip and the Bossing both sport a 1-6 record and they need to sweep their last four games to get a legitimate shot at advancing to the quarterfinals.
But that is also the plan for the Giant Risers and Fuel Masters, who are tied at the ninth to 10th spots with similar 2-6 records. They are just a few games behind No. 8 Barangay Ginebra and a win could boost its chances of claiming one of the quarters seats.
But that would be easier said than done.
Coming off the two-week break, all four teams are optimistic that they can turn things around in the final stretch of the eliminations.
For the Dyip, they are hoping to finally utilize Maverick Ahanmisi to lead the team alongside his brother Jerrick to not only stop a five-game slide but also to pick up the all-important win.
But standing in front of them are the deadly duo of Calvin Abueva and Joshua Munzon. And while their record may not reflect it, Titan Ultra has shown they can hang around some of the league’s top contenders when the two are on the same page.
The same could be said for Phoenix, which is also relishing splendid games from Ricci Rivero and Kai Ballungay but just couldn’t get the break and translate it to victories.
For the Bossing, on the other hand, they are still searching for help from the rest of the team to support high-scoring players Sedrick Barefield and Christian David.
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