Games today:

(Candon City Arena)

7:30 p.m. — San Miguel Beer vs Meralco

The dash for a playoff seat has spilled over to Ilocos Sur.

Fans up north are in for a treat as Meralco shoots for a spot in the next round against defending champion San Miguel Beer, hoping to boost its quarterfinal bid in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup today at the Candon City Arena.

The lone game set at 7:30 p.m. promises thrilling action as both the Bolts and the Beermen, who will be parading their fourth import in Malik Pope, know the magnitude of the all-important battle.

Holding a 6-3 win-loss record, another victory will officially secure Meralco a seat in the next round to join NorthPort and Converge, who are tied at second spot with 7-3 slates, as well as boost its chances of clinching one of the two twice-to-beat quarters advantage.

The Bolts are on a two-game winning streak after beating NLEX, 105-91, last week before crushing the Batang Pier, 111-94, last Tuesday.

But for Meralco, taking down San Miguel won’t be an easy task especially with its back against the wall and barely hanging on the eighth spot with a 4-4 mark.

“San Miguel, they are going through some rough patches now but you know when push comes to shove, they need every game,” Bolts coach Luigi Trillo said.

Meralco’s last two matches after San Miguel Beer are against Barangay Ginebra (29 January) and Magnolia (31 January).

“I think all those three teams are jockeying for position, some teams have to make the playoffs, we just have to be ready. But what is important for us is what’s in front of us,” Trillo said.

“Nothing’s gonna come easy. With six (wins) I think we’re in the playoffs but we want to get into the Top Six first.”

The Beermen, on the other hand, tapped 6-foot-10 Pope to reinforce them and hopefully turn their fortunes around.

The 28-year-old takes over the place of Jabari Narcis. Pope is San Miguel’s fourth import after Quincy Miller, Torren Jones and Narcis.

Pope, a product of San Diego State, played overseas in countries such as Greece, Germany and Estonia after going undrafted in the National Basketball Association.

He also suited up with several teams in the NBA G. League, including the G. League Ignite, where Filipino Kai Sotto once played.

The Beermen are coming off an 85-78 win over Magnolia a week ago.