Magnolia, TNT want share of lead

Games today:

(Ynares Center-Montalban)

5:15 p.m. — TNT vs Terrafirma

7:30 p.m. — San Miguel vs Magnolia

Magnolia and TNT Tropang 5G are on a mission to gain a share of the lead when they tackle separate foes in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Philippine Cup today at the Ynares Center-Montalban.

The Hotshots and Tropang 5G carry identical 4-1 win-loss slates just a win behind of league-leading Rain or Shine (5-1), making this explosive double-header very crucial in their respective bids in the playoffs of the season-opening conference.

Magnolia is in for a dogfight against streaking defending champion San Miguel Beer in their 7:30 p.m. clash.

A week after eking out an 83-80 win over cellar-dwelling Phoenix, head coach LA Tenorio hopes the Hotshots will be in a right head space facing the streaking Beermen following a near upset.

“I think this is a good test for us, this kind of games, going into this set of games, back-to-back games against San Miguel and Talk ‘N Text. We learn from this game. We played defense, it was a defensive game. I hope we can bring that moving forward,” he said.  

After a 0-2 start, San Miguel has won three straight matches and is bent on picking up a fourth.

The Beermen are coming off a 96-90 win over Converge last Sunday.

Meanwhile, all advantages point to the direction of veteran-laden TNT when it takes on shaky Terrafirma in the curtain-raiser at 5:15 p.m.

Fielding a much healthier lineup compared to their injury-plagued roster in a botched grand slam bid in the previous all-Filipino contest, the Tropang 5G are on a three-game winning streak.

TNT has hurdled Converge in a close call, routed Titan Ultra before leaning on Rey Nambatac’s game-winning basket in a 100-98 overtime escape over Meralco last 29 October.

In contrast, the young Dyip are sputtering at the bottom half of the standings with a 1-4 card tied with Blackwater while reeling from a three-game slide.

Although favored with regards to manpower, long rest and momentum, head coach Chot Reyes knows that the Tropang 5G’s job in the playoffs race is far from over. Winning games is a must to achieve their main goal of advancing into the next round.