Defending champion San Miguel Beermen try to continue their climb up the standings of the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup.
The Beermen (2-3) battle unpredictable Columbian Dyip (3-4) at 7 p.m. in the nightcap while the Magnolia Hotshots (3-2) look to regain their bearings when they take on woeful Blackwater (0-7) at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight.
After uncharacteristically losing its first three outings, the Beermen are suddenly looking like the champions that they are.
They are now riding a two-game winning streak as they continue to get a timely lift from Renaldo Balkman.
Over at the other side, Columbian is suffering the opposite fate.
The Dyip had lost its last two games heading to its tussle with the Beermen.
Meanwhile, the Hotshots saw their three-game winning streak snapped the last time out.
Magnolia suffered a tough 99-96 setback at the hands of Rain or Shine in overtime last Saturday.
Its new import Curtis Kelly has yet to find the right groove and the Hotshots are hoping he can show more as they look to bounce back.
The Hotshots will be heavily favored coming in against still winless Blackwater.
Even the return of high-scoring resident import Henry Walker wasn’t enough to get the Elite over the hump as Blackwater is now on a seven-game losing streak without a win to show.
Another loss for the Elite will formally eliminate it from the quarterfinals race.
TNT KaTropa (6-1) and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (6-1) are tied at the top of the standings.
Trailing closely are the Alaska Aces (5-1) and the Meralco Bolts (4-2).
The other teams include the Hotshots (3-2), the Phoenix Petroleum Fuel Masters (3-3), the GlobalPort Batang Pier (3-4), the Dyip (3-4), the Beermen (2-3) and the NLEX Road Warriors (2-5).
Bringing up the rear are Barangay Ginebra (1-5) and the Elite (0-7).