MANILA, Philippines – Air21 tries to clinch the last playoff berth when it battles Alaska Milk in the last play-date of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup elimination round on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Express and the Aces clash at 7:30 p.m. with the former seeking a fourth straight win that will serve as their ticket for the sixth and last playoff berth.

Clashing at 5 p.m. are Rain or Shine and San Miguel Beer at 5 p.m. with the Painters hoping to nail a victory that will vault them to No. 3 in the event a four-way tie for third to sixth places at 5-4.

If that happens, their respective seeding in the quarterfinals will be determined on the final margin of wins on Wednesday.

Top seed Talk ’N Text (8-1) and No. 2 Smart-Gilas Pilipinas (7-2) already earned outright slots in the best-of-five semifinal series.

Air21 is coming off a 108-98 victory opposite Powerade last Sunday, which not only improved the Express’ win-loss record to 4-4, but it gave them a good chance of advancing to the best-of-three quarterfinals.

In that win, Air21 import Alpha Bangura scattered 32 points, while Danny Seigle collected his second straight double-double with 23 and 12 rebounds, while Dondon Hontiveros contributed 17 markers.

The Express are playing great of late, having won their last three games since acquiring Seigle, Hontiveros, Dorian Pena and Paul Artadi in a blockbuster trade with San Miguel last month.

Now, in a make-or-break game, Air21 mentor Bong Ramos said they will do everything to clinch the last spot.

“We’re the only team that plays with a bearing. One team (B-Meg) is hoping that we lose,” Ramos said as a setback will tie them with the Llamados at 4-5, but B-Meg will take last slot in the quarters because of its 121-92 win against Air21 last March 2.

“We’re actually in a good position to make the quarters, nasa kamay na namin ang kapalaran ng team. Siguro ito ang ibinigay samin, we take this as a challenge. Hopefully we continue to jell,” he added.

Alaska, on the other hand, lost its previous game to Rain or Shine (113-97) as import LD Williams served a one-game suspension for his Flagrant Foul Penalty 2 on Mark Cardona in a game against Meralco two weeks ago.

Williams, who was also fined P20,000, will rejoin the Aces as they try to finish the elimination with a victory and the No. 3 seeding in the quarterfinals.

Waylon Galvez, Manila Bulletin