TEAMS tied for second place all return to action with an aim of keeping their spot in the upper half as the 2016 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup continues.
The Mahindra Enforcers and the NLEX Road Warriors, both at 2-1, duke it out at 4:15 p.m. to open the show at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday.
The two will go different paths following this encounter with one keeping its place and the other dropping down the middle.
In the main attraction, the GlobalPort Batang Pier, the other team which holds a 2-1 card, battle Philippine Cup Champion San Miguel Beermen (0-1) at 7 p.m. in a featured clash of semifinalists from last conference.
The Enforcers, the Road Warriors and the Batang Pier are in a three-way logjam for second place and the results of the games will shake up the standings.
All three squads are coming off impressive victories in previous assignments.
On the other hand, the Beermen made a sluggish debut as they lost their initial game. They will look for their first win against a tough Batang Pier squad.
GlobalPort is on a winning roll. It won back-to-back games after dropping its first match.
Its last victory came at the expense of Talk ‘N Text, 108-101, last Friday. The win gave the Batang Pier more confidence.
“Nagkaka-amuyan kami ng maayos and we’re improving pa,” said GlobalPort coach Pido Jarencio. “Target naming makuha either No. 1 or No. 2 para twice-to-beat. Kaya sana we’ll continue pa.”
NLEX downed Star, 106-99, last Saturday in Binan, Laguna, while the Enforcers were actually the ones who dealt San Miguel its opening loss with a 102-96 victory the same day.
The Road Warriors and the Enforcers are on a collision course and the victor of their tiff will be assured of remaining at second place regardless of the result of the second game between the Batang Pier and the Beermen.
Both the coaches of NLEX and Mahindra are pleased with their teams’ respective starts and they’re both keen on continuing what they’ve started as their squads face off.
“The boys are stepping up. We want to win more games early on and they’re showing that desire so far,” said NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez.”
“We just need to keep our mental toughness. That’s what’s giving us these wins. Ituloy lang namin iyon in our next game,” said Mahindra coach Chito Victolero.
Games Friday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4:15 p.m. – Mahindra vs. NLEX
7 p.m. – San Miguel vs. GlobalPort