Frontrunner Phoenix Pulse and Rain or Shine aim to solidify their hold on the top two spots when they face separate foes in the continuing 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup.
The pace-setting Fuel Masters (7-1) go for their third straight victory against a rejuvenated Magnolia (1-3) side in an anticipated collision at 7 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today.
In the initial offering, the Elasto Painters (7-2) will try to get back on its feet when they go up against Columbian Dyip (3-5) at 4:30 p.m.
The Fuel Masters and the Painters are the first two teams through to the quarterfinals already.
Should Phoenix and Rain or Shine earn wins, they will most certainly stoke their drive for a top two finish.
The top two finishers at the end of the elimination round will earn a twice-to-beat incentive against lower-ranked teams in the quarters.
Phoenix coach Louie Alas wants his wards to go all in to get closer to securing a top two spot heading to the post-season.
“I want to experience a twice-to-beat advantage again,” said Alas, whose squad had the same incentive in the Governors’ Cup last season before blowing it in the quarterfinals. “It is a good incentive to have so we want to take it.”
The Fuel Masters will face a re-energized Hotshots, who finally broke into the winning column with a 92-86 triumph over Meralco last Saturday.
Rain or Shine wasn’t in its best element the last time out, dropping a 92-100 decision to TNT KaTropa last Sunday, sending it to second place.
On the other hand, it will face an inconsistent Dyip, who alternated losses with a win in their last three assignments.