NLEX shoots for a piece of the tournament lead when it aims for a fourth straight win at the resumption of the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup.
Winners of three in a row, the Road Warriors (6-1) want to keep the ball rolling when they go head-to-head with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (2-6) at 4:30 p.m. today at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
In the mainer, Barangay Ginebra (4-2), also winner of three straight, looks to continue its ascent when it takes on the Blackwater Elite (2-6) at 7 p.m.
Revitalized with an elite import in Manny Harris, NLEX continued to roll and enjoy one of its best runs in franchise history.
Still, the goal for Road Warriors coach Yeng Guiao and his wards is to keep winning to secure a place in the top two.
“We’re in the chase for a top two finish. We’re in a good spot but we need a couple more wins to secure it,” said Guiao.
NLEX is coming off a morale-boosting triumph the last time out, dealing league-leader TNT KaTropa its first loss, 126-113, in impressive fashion last Friday.
Another win will enable NLEX to tie the Tropang Texters at the top of the heap and secure its berth in the quarterfinals as well.
The Elasto Painters are in dire need of a win against the Road Warriors if they hope to keep their chances of making the top eight alive.
Now peaking, the Gin Kings go for a fourth straight win while the Elite is looking to stay in the hunt as it looks to notch an important victory.
Ginebra coach Tim Cone says the Elite will be a dangerous opponent.
“Blackwater has built their team around a lot of shooters. We’re going to have to get out and extend on all of them. They will pose some very tough matchups for us,” said Cone.
“At this point mid the conference, this is a critical game for us, so it’s very important that we don’t look past Blackwater going into our games against Meralco and TNT.”
Ginebra is chasing a spot in the Top Four while the Elite want to at least qualify to the playoffs.