Peaking San Miguel Beer seeks to improve its stand, while three slumping teams are in dire need of wins in the resumption of the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup.
Winner of two straight, the Beermen (4-3) aim to grab solo fourth place when they lock horns with unpredictable NLEX (2-4) at 7 p.m. today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
In the curtain raiser, NorthPort (2-3) and Meralco (2-5) are raring to go all out against each other as they face must-win situations in their 4:30 p.m. encounter.
Following a dismal start, the defending champions are slowly but surely turning on their championship switch.
In their last two wins, the Beermen reminded everyone that they are the four-time reigning champs, winning their previous two by an average of 16.5 points against Meralco and Magnolia.
Beermen coach Leo Austria is glad to see that his team is back in stride.
“The chemistry is now there. That was our problem before when the season started,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria. “Slowly, we’re gaining a good rhythm. The guys our focused more and we have momentum now.”
The Beermen are favored against the Road Warriors, who can’t seem to get a steady run going.
The Batang Pier and the Bolts are going to their battle having lost three in a row.
At the moment, NorthPort is holding on dearly at the No. 8 spot, while Meralco is down at No. 10.
Their paths are bound to be separated as one of them will be primed to finally end its losing streak and gain a pivotal win.