With just three games left, Alaska and Powerade are still outside the top six and their game on Friday will be crucial.

Alaska and Powerade meet in the opener at 5:30 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum, with the winner boosting its chances for the semifinal stage and the loser moving closer to booking an early vacation.

“This game is really a decision time for us. Are we interested in going to the next round? If so, then we really have to bring ‘it,’” said Aces head coach Tim Cone.

Alaska and the Tigers are both tied for seventh and eighth spots with 2-3 win-loss marks in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governor’s Cup.

The Aces are coming off a heartbreaking 81-82 overtime loss at the hands of Petron Blaze that halted their two-game run and somehow ruined their momentum.

Cone said his players must treat the game against Powerade like a do-or-die contest.

“The key for us is how to respond from a tough loss in what we thought should have been a won game for us,” he said. “And because of the loss, that really narrowed our margin for error and makes tomorrow’s game a near knockout game.”

Powerade has been playing impressive in the past three games, winning two, including a 98-96 win victory over Rain or Shine.

“The irony is after playing three good games we are still fighting for survival,” said Tigers head coach Bo Perasol. “I believe, however, that it is that kind of mindset that should make us more aggressive.”

Cone hopes the locals, led by LA Tenorio, Wesley Gonzales, Sonny Thoss and Cyrus Baguio, could provide the needed offensive support to import Jason Forte to have a fighting chance against the Tigers.

Powerade’s reinforcement Chris Porte is playing consistently on both ends and is expected to be the main focus of the Aces’ defense.

In the nightcap, Barangay Ginebra might play All-Filipino against Air21 in their 7:45 p.m. tussle.

Kings’ import Curtis Stinson has a swollen right knee and was ordered to rest for the next 10 days.

The Air21 Express are the first team to be booted out of the season-ending conference after absorbing their fifth-straight defeat on Wednesday night, 86-93, at the hands of Meralco.

The Kings are in solo fifth spot in the standings with an even 2-2 win-loss slate. --Joel Orellana