San Miguel Beer and Magnolia are looking to get themselves back in the upper echelon as they face separate foes in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup.
Uncharacteristically on a two-game slide, the Beermen (5-3) are looking to arrest their woes when they play a revamped Blackwater (2-7) side at 4:30 p.m. at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
Succeeding this is a bout between the Hotshots (4-4) and Phoenix (2-6) at 7 p.m.
In the middle of its chase for a coveted Grandslam, San Miguel is currently on a skid after starting out on fire.
Following its 5-1 start, the Beermen have suffered back-to-back losses at the hands of Phoenix and Meralco.
Even though they are still tied for fourth with the Gin Kings, San Miguel coach Leo Austria knows he and his wards need to turn on the switch at this point.
“We’re playing without the urgency to compete and win right now,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria. “We need to start focusing again and be the veteran team that we are.”
A win can formalize San Miguel’s entry in the quarterfinals. It is also aiming for a top four finish for a twice-to-beat incentive in the next round.
San Miguel will face a Blackwater camp that is welcoming some new additions.
The Elite will now start its life without former star Bobby Ray Parks, who was dealt away last week to TNT in exchange for Don Trollano and Anthony Semerad.
Blackwater is fighting for dear life as a loss will eliminate it in the chase for a berth in the quarterfinals.
The Hotshots, who are in the middle of the pack in sixth place, look to maintain their spot and protect their place in the top eight as they seek to get a win against the Fuel Masters.
Magnolia will now have Chris Banchero at its disposal after acquiring him in a deal with Alaska over the weekend.
Like the Elite, Phoenix, which is in 10th place, also needs a win to keep its sagging chances of cracking the top eight alive.