Games today:

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

5 p.m. — Converge vs Meralco

7:30 p.m. — Ginebra vs Magnolia

Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) fans are in for a treat as Barangay Ginebra and Magnolia rekindle their rivalry in an explosive Christmas Day clash today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

All eyes will be on the Manila Clasico main event set at 7:30 p.m. following the 5 p.m. curtain-raiser featuring streaking Converge and rebound-seeking Meralco.

The Hotshots are eyeing to rejuvenate their campaign as they aim for back-to-back victories after snapping an alarming four-game skid.

With import Ricardo Ratliffe, young talents Zav Lucero and rookie Jerom Lastimosa as well as veteran guard Mark Barroca stepping up at crunch time, Magnolia arrested its slump with a hard-fought 99-95 overtime win over NLEX last Friday.

Hotshots mentor Chito Victolero hopes they can capitalize on the momentum of their morale-boosting victory to hurdle a Kings side itching to get back on the winning groove after a crushing loss to the FiberXers last Saturday in Batangas.

With a 2-4 win-loss record at the bottom half of the standings, every game counts for Magnolia.  

“We are in a do-or-die situation, backs against the wall. Actually, we got into an early playoffs mindset. I told my players we need to have a playoffs mindset or a playoff mentality,” Victolero said.

Ratliffe is stoked for his first-ever rivalry game and the chance to square off against Ginebra resident import Justin Brownlee.

“I’m looking forward to it. I know it’s the biggest rivalry in this league,” he said.

“I didn’t get a chance to play my first two times because I came as a replacement. I usually come around right before the playoffs because of my season in Korea. But I’m definitely looking forward to Christmas and playing in my first rivalry game.”

However, injury concerns haunt the Hotshots.

Guard Paul Lee was forced to sit out last game due to dizziness and a bruised forehead after a rail barrier he used to attach his resistance band fell on him during warmup.

Barroca, on the other hand, hurt his right rib cage when he collided with teammate Calvin Abueva in the waning moments of the previous game. Lucero just returned from a jumper’s knee injury while Ratliffe is just 90 percent recovered from a right shoulder injury.

Ginebra, sporting a 3-2 slate, could take advantage of that to rebound from a 91-98 loss to Converge in a game where the Kings squandered a 17-point lead.

However, Ginebra is also dealing with being bitten by the injury bug.

Veteran forward Japeth Aguilar (groin) and guard Stephen Holt (knee) were unavailable in their last match.

Meanwhile, Converge tries to end the year with a bang as it shoots for a fourth straight win.

Holding a 5-2 slate for a spot in the top three, the FiberXers completed a sweep of their three-game swing in five days.

The Bolts carry a 3-1 record and are coming off a 98-114 loss to Blackwater two weeks ago. Meralco went all-Filipino after replacement import DJ Kennedy was advised to rest to avoid aggravating a calf injury.

Meralco has six local players on the injury list while Bong Quinto still played through a hurting right knee the last time out. Original reinforcement Akil Mitchell is still recovering from a broken nose.