Grand Slam bid in peril

They say the two best words in basketball are Game 7. Players dream of battling in a do-or-die showdown where there's no tomorrow and they leave it all on the floor.

- By JOAQUIN M. HENSON

Four teams get a chance to play in a best-of-seven duel in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals; then the two survivors advance to clash in the best-of-seven finals. If the semifinals and finals go the distance, there will be three Games 7 on tap.

Conversely, what players dread is facing a twice-to-win disadvantage where the other team has two chances to close out. In the quarterfinals starting today, Rain or Shine and TNT are looking down the barrel of a gun. If the Elasto Painters lose to NLEX and the Tropang 5G bow to Magnolia, it's over for both squads. Converge and Meralco are in the same predicament. On Friday, the FiberXers engage Barangay Ginebra while Meralco takes on San Miguel Beer. If Converge and Meralco lose, they're done for the season.