Red-hot TNT KaTropa wants to make a stronger bid for a top two finish when it shoots for a fifth straight win in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup.
Riding high on its recent success, the Tropang Texters (6-3) aim to close in at second spot when they cross paths with Columbian Dyip (4-6) at 4:30 p.m. today as the scene shifts to Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
In the final offering, Magnolia (4-5) continues its bid for a better placing inside the top eight when it goes up against already ousted cellar-dweller Blackwater (2-8) at 7 p.m.
Currently the league’s hottest team, TNT KaTropa, already assured of a berth in the quarterfinals, looks to stay sizzling to remain in the hunt for the No. 2 seed and the last twice-to-beat incentive in the next round.
Texters’ coach Bong Ravena made that very clear.
“We still have a good chance of climbing to No. 2,” he said. “If we win our remaining games, we’ll have a shot.”
The Texters are running third right now and can still tie Rain or Shine, who finished at 8-3, at No. 2.
For that to happen, they need to take care of business against the Dyip, who are in dire need of a victory to enter the top eight at the moment.
The Hotshots are currently tied with Alaska and NLEX for spots No. 6 to 8.
A victory is essential for them to gain a leverage and move closer to securing a berth in the next phase.