Games today:

(Ynares Center)

5 p.m. — TNT vs Terrafirma

7:30 p.m. — Ginebra vs Rain or Shine

TNT Tropang Giga targets a seventh straight win to secure a quarterfinals ticket against listless Terrafirma in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup today at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Already knocking on the playoff door, the red-hot Tropang Giga are putting in all the stops not only to formally enter the playoff but to better their chances for a Top 2 finish to clinch a twice-to-beat advantage in the next round.

And it starts by taking down a team hoping to pull off a stunner to save face in a rather futile mid-season conference campaign at 5 p.m.

TNT has been on a roll after a 0-2 start for a 6-2 win-loss card all thanks to its vaunted defense that tamed strong contenders Meralco, Converge, Magnolia and Barangay Ginebra.

The Tropang Giga limited the Kings to just 36 percent shooting and forced them to commit 13 turnovers in a 91-86 decision last Friday in a thrilling rematch of the Governors’ Cup finals.

“Sometimes our shots will go in, sometimes they won’t. But our defense, if it’s on point all the time, then we will give ourselves a chance,” TNT head coach Chot Reyes said.

While the Tropang Giga pride themselves on their collective effort on defensive, the likes of two-time Best Import winner Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Calvin Oftana, RR Pogoy, Poy Erram and Jayson Castro have been providing consistent numbers on offense.

On the other hand, the Dyip are only fighting for some semblance of pride in their last assignment to cap a forgettable run.

Victory has been elusive for Terrafirma after dropping all of its first 11 games.

In their last outing, the Dyip gave Hong Kong Eastern fits in first half only to get buried in a 100-134 rout.

Terrafirma has not been particularly effective defensively after giving up an average of 110.5 points per game while losing at an average of 14.7-point margin.

Meanwhile, Rain or Shine and Barangay Ginebra clash at 7:30 p.m. for a playoffs spot.

The Elasto Painters sport a 6-3 record after arresting a two-game slide at the expense of NorthPort, 127-107, last Thursday.

“Winning (over NorthPort) is a big lift for us. To arrest a losing skid is a morale-booster. And we need a lot of that going to our game against Ginebra,” Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said.

The fiery mentor believes winning over the Kings will keep his squad away from the last two seeds in the next round.

“We already won six. From the start, we’re looking at seven wins to get into the quarters and stay clear of the No. 7 and No. 8 (which will have a twice-to-win disadvantage). Let’s see,” Guiao said.

The Kings hold a 6-4 mark following their loss to the same team that beat them in the season-opening tournament championship.

“We need a higher sense of urgency,” Ginebra coach Tim Cone said.