A CLASH of league-leaders is bound to take place as top-ranked TNT Katropa faces a stiff challenge from upstart second-running Mahindra in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup.
Consistently keeping their places at the top the entire tournament, the still unscathed Tropang Texters (6-0) and the surprising Enforcers (5-2) finally get the chance to test each other when they collide at 4:15 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today.
Following this, an important match between NLEX (3-4) and Phoenix (2-4) takes place at 7 p.m., with both teams needing a win to enhance their chance of making it in the Top 8.
While Talk ‘N Text is enjoying its place at the top with its unbeaten record, the Enforcers are currently in a three-way tie for second place with Barangay Ginebra and San Miguel.
Still, Texters’ coach Jong Uichico said that despite his team’s stand, there’s still a lot of work to be done as they aim to finish as high as they can in the elimination round.
“Malayo pa ‘yan. We’re in a good place, but we still want to win as many games as we can to get the best placing for the playoffs,” he said.
These two teams are almost secured of a spot in the quarterfinals.
Regardless of the result, the Tropang Texters, who whipped the Fuel Masters, 124-117, last Friday in their last win, will remain in first place. A win for them, though, will formalize their entry into the quarterfinals.
The game is vital for the teams upstairs who are shooting for a Top 4 finish to clinch a twice-to-beat incentive in the next phase.
Should Mahindra, which is coming off a dominant 97-88 drubbing of Blackwater last Sunday, pull off yet another upset win, it will put itself in a really good spot to finally clinch its first playoffs berth in franchise history.
“The players are really playing inspired and we are all motivated to finally make the playoffs. We need to keep our focus and continue what we’ve started,” said Mahindra deputy coach Chris Gavina.
Both the Road Warriors and the Fuel Masters are having a rollercoaster run thus far.
They will head to their match-up both coming off losses in their previous outings.
Just the other night, the Road Warriors was dumped by sister team Meralco, 101-95, while as mentioned, Phoenix bowed down to TNT Katropa the last time out.
Games Today
(Smart Araneta Coliseum):
4:15 p.m. – Mahindra vs. TNT Katropa
7 p.m. – Phoenix vs. NLEX