Red hot league-leader Magnolia Pambansang Manok aims to move closer to sealing a top four finish as it goes for a sixth straight win when it plunges back to action in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup
Winner of five straight, the Hotshots (7 wins, 1 loss) look to keep their streak going as they take on the rejuvenated Meralco Bolts (2-6) 7 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City while the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (2-4) look to build on its momentum against hapless Columbian Dyip (0-9) in the opening 4:30 p.m. game.
With do-it-all import Romeo Travis fitting like a glove, Magnolia is enjoying tremendous success so far in the conference.
The Hotshots are already assured of a spot in the quarterfinals and they are now eyeing a twice-to-beat incentive in the next round.
The top four teams at the end of the elimination round will get a win-once advantage against the lower seeded teams.
The Hotshots’ last victim was a fellow top four team in Alaska as they handed the Aces an 83-73 beating last Sunday.
While Magnolia looks comfortable at the top, Meralco is trying to continue a bit of a resurgence after snapping its six-game losing skid.
The Bolts fought their way back in their last game against NLEX and eventually hacked out a 108-105 squeaker, ending their dry spell in the process.
With two wins, Meralco is still in the thick of the fight for a spot in the top eight.
The same goes with the Elasto Painters, who have won their last two games.
Rain or Shine will be heavily favored against cellar-dweller Dyip, which is trying to avoid a winless conference.
