AS teams continue to jockey for position, two important games, with huge implications in the quarterfinals race, take place in the homestretch of the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup elimination round.
The league-leading San Miguel Beermen (8-2) aim to generate some heat heading into the playoffs when they take on win-hungry Rain or Shine (5-4) at 7 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
In the opener at 4:30 p.m., the NLEX Road Warriors (6-4) looks to gain some momentum entering the quarters while TNT KaTropa (4-6) fights for dear life as it faces a must-win as the sister teams do battle.
The defending champion Beermen are already assured of a top finish and a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarters. Now, they look to enter the post-season with a bang.
Already safely into the quarters with an advantage, all that matters now for San Miguel is to head into the next round with some steam.
While the Beermen are on a two-game winning streak, they didn’t actually look invincible in their last outing, that’s why they are looking to bounce back stronger.
San Miguel took a 108-106 squeaker over cellar-dweller Kia, thanks to Marcia Lassiter’s buzzer-beating game-winner last Friday, but almost tripped as it barely dodged the latter’s upset bullet.
On the other hand, the Elasto Painters are in dire need of w in as their fate depends on their encounter with the defending champions.
To qualify and secure a spot in the top eight and in the playoffs, Rain or Shine simply needs to win. Otherwise, it can be in danger as complications will arise should it lose, as it needs to win its final assignment against Barangay Ginebra to advance.
The Painters failed to secure their berth in the quarters as they yielded to Alaska, 95-99, also last Friday.
The same can be said for TNT in its fight against NLEX as the Tropang Texters are facing a do-or-die situation.
While the Road Warriors are already safely through to the next phase, TNT needs to win its final two assignments and hope the remaining results of the games of the teams in the chase favor it.