HEAVYWEIGHTS are to be unleashed as they box and jockey for better positioning in the continuing 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup.
The consistent Meralco Bolts (5-1) is looking to regain a piece of tournament lead but it would have to get through the acid test to be presented by sister team TNT KaTropa (4-3) as they renew their sibling rivalry at 4:15 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today.
Following that is another intense encounter as the streaking Rain or Shine Elasto painters (4-2) lock horns with surprisingly inconsistent San Miguel Beer (3-3) at 7 p.m. in a marquee attraction.
Right from the start of the conference, the Bolts are consistently showing why they are once again a tough contender, staying in the top two and only dropping a single game to this point.
Led by reigning Best Import Allen Durham, the Bolts have experienced smooth sailing up to this point and another win will get them to the quarterfinals and allow them to tie Barangay Ginebra (6-1) at the top of the heap.
Meralco beat the Phoenix Petroleum Fuel Masters, 107-104, last Aug. 18 and now, it will be coming off an 17-day layoff approaching this slugfest against TNT KaTropa.
The usually consistent Tropang Texters are finding it hard to find consistency in their campaign so far, having lost to GlobalPort, 119-112, in their last game last Friday after winning two in a row before that.
Overall, they have split their last four games but now, they will try to get back on track with a complete line-up with Troy Rosario back.
Following a bad start, the Elasto Painters have suddenly surged after making key moves. They have won three straight and are one of the hottest teams in the league as they stay at fourth place.
The Painters handed erstwhile league-leader Star Hotshots their first defeat last week with a 92-88 beating last week.
On the other hand, the Grand Slam seeking Beermen are having the opposite fate, losing their last two games after starting out with a 3-1 card.
In their last outing, San Miguel was out of sorts as Alaska handed them a 90-79 rout in Pampanga last Saturday.
A win for them will allow them to tie the Painters in the standings.
