Games today:

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

5 p.m. — TNT vs Rain or Shine

7:30 p.m. — Barangay Ginebra vs NorthPort

Thrilling action erupts as the four remaining teams clash in titanic showdowns of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup best-of-seven semifinals series opener today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Well-rested top seed NorthPort takes on a Barangay Ginebra side parading several weary stars following a grueling tour of duty with Gilas Pilipinas in the main game set at 7:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, Rain or Shine and second seed TNT collide in the 5 p.m. curtain-raiser which promises another grind-out affair.

However, all eyes will be on resident import Justine Brownlee and the rest of the Kings as they take on the youthful Batang Pier enjoying the advantage of fresh legs.

The three-time Best Import along with guard Scottie Thompson, Jamie Malonzo, Japeth Aguilar and reserve Troy Rosario all served in Gilas’ strenuous campaign on the road.

Gilas, coached by Ginebra mentor Tim Cone, traveled to Doha for a brief training camp before flying and suffering defeats against Chinese Taipei and New Zealand in the third window of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.

The Kings, who needed three games to knock out Meralco in the quarterfinals, may have the experience but will they have enough gas left in the tank?

Ginebra’s defense and resolve will surely be tested against the high-scoring Batang Pier, who beat the Kings, 119-116, in their elimination round meeting last 8 January.

“NorthPort beat us in the eliminations. They just about beat everybody in the eliminations. We weren’t the only ones. They’ve been playing well,” Cone said.

Bannered by Best Player of the Conference frontrunner Arvin Tolentino, Joshua Munzon, Will Navarro and workhorse import Kadeem Jack, the Batang Pier is going to be one tough customer for Ginebra.

“I said it last time we played them. Arvin, obviously, is playing at an MVP level and leading the MVP. And Munzon is also playing at an MVP level. Those two guys are really carrying the load over there. And they’re getting contributions from everybody,” Cone added.

“And Jack just seems to be the perfect complement for them. He fills out the big man role that they need. It’s going to be tough.”

NorthPort dominated the elims and booted out Magnolia, 113-110, in the quarters for just its third semis appearance in franchise history.

“We’re the underdogs here no matter what happens,” Navarro said.

“(But) we’re not satisfied here (reaching the semis). We want more.”

On the other hand, both the No. 2 seed Tropang Giga and Elasto Painters tagged themselves as underdogs in their playoffs rematch.

For TNT coach Chot Reyes, Rain or Shine has the advantage following its 106-96 win over his squad in their end of elims meeting last month.

“They’ve beaten us the last time,” Reyes said.

It’s going to be the second straight semis pairing between the two proud franchises after the Tropang Giga eliminated the Elasto Painters in five games last conference on their way to completing a back-to-back Governors’ Cup conquest.

“Maybe because of history and past performances, some may look at us as the favorites here. But this is the playoffs, best-of-seven. They call this as the second season,” added Reyes, whose squad sent guestme team Hong Kong Eastern home with a 109-93 victory in the quarters.

“All of the previous games, performances against them, they don’t mean much. We don’t look at ourselves as the favorites here.”

Led by Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Gilas mainstay Calvin Oftana, Rey Nambatac, JP Erram, RR Pogoy and ageless Jayson Castro, TNT seeks to draw first blood and eventually hurdle Rain or Shine for another trip to the finals.

But Elasto Painters mentor Yeng Guiao and his crew won’t allow a repeat of the last tournament.

“I think we’re ready this time,” Guiao shared.

“Our experience playing against them before that gives us more wisdom, a better perspective, on how to prepare against them.”

Rain or Shine needed to claw back from a 0-1 quarters series deficit to dispose of Converge.

Deon Thompson, streaky scorer Adrian Nocum, Andrei Caracut, Jhonard Clarito, Caelan Tiongson and Beau Belga are all ready for payback.