Evenly matched bouts that will affect the landscape of the playoff race are all set to unfold in the critical stretch of the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup.
Both chasing a possible top two finish, red-hot Meralco (7-2) and TNT KaTropa (6-3) are set to collide in a fiery sibling encounter at 7 p.m. today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to see who puts itself in a better position heading the quarterfinals.
In the opener, an equally important tilt between GlobalPort (4-5) and Columbian Dyip (4-6) is scheduled at 4:30 p.m., with both their chances of making the top eight on the line.
Even if the Bolts and the Tropang Texters are already safely through to the next round, both are seeking for more as they aim to end up in the top two to get a potential twice-to-beat advantage.
Right now, Meralco has some edge as it is tied for second place with Alaska after winning its last four games.
“Our goal is to finish in the top two to get an incentive. That is very much achievable,” said Bolts’ coach Norman Black.
TNT is still in the thick of things though it has previously lost its last two assignments, sitting in fourth place.
Front-runner Rain or Shine has the best shot of getting there with its 8-1 card.
Over at the tail-end of the top eight, six teams are competing for the remaining four spots in the quarters, including the Batang Pier and the the Columbian Dyip.
GlobalPort is tied with Barangay Ginebra and Magnolia at Nos. 6 to 8, while the Dyip and Phoenix are on the outside looking in.
Meanwhile, the Batang Pier, to help boost its bid, acquired Gabby Espinas from San Miguel Beer in exchange for Kelly Nabong in an approved trade yesterday.
This was GlobalPort’s second trade in three days after it dealt away Julian Sargeant to Ginebra for Paolo Taha couple of days ago.