Games today:

(Ynares Center-Antipolo)

5:15 p.m. — Converge vs Magnolia

7:30 p.m. — TNT vs San Miguel Beer

Rampaging defending champion San Miguel Beer tries to pick up from where it left off and secure a playoffs spot in an explosive championship rematch against TNT as action in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Philippine Cup resumes Friday at the Ynares Center-Antipolo.

After a 0-2 start, the Beermen went on a tear in their next five assignments to climb up a four-way logjam in third place.

San Miguel tries to extend its run when it steps back inside the court in the main game of a double-header feature at 7:30 p.m.

Squaring off in the curtain-raiser at 5:15 p.m. are Converge and Magnolia.

Interestingly, the four teams share identical 5-2 win-loss records, making their pairings a clash for a quarterfinals berth.

The Beermen showed complete dominance in crushing Titan Ultra, 158-117, last 12 November before the league went on a break to give way to Gilas Pilipinas’ participation in the opening window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez reunite with Jericho Cruz, who played for Gilas’ opponent Guam, to lead San Miguel against the team they’ve beaten in six games in the previous edition of the all-Filipino conference.

Beermen head coach Leo Austria allowed his players to rest during the break but expects them to come out with the same intensity and fire as in the past outings to achieve their goal of securing a top four spot for a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarters.

“We are not assured of anything yet,” he said.

“In order for us to get into the top four, which is our target, we need to have at least eight wins and they know it,” Austria added.

On the other hand, the Tropang 5G seek to rebound from an 89-91 loss to Rain or Shine, which shares the lead with NLEX with a 6-2 slate, last 17 November.

Calvin Oftana, who skipped Gilas’ tour of duty due to a hamstring injury, is expected to be fully healthy this time to help TNT get back on the winning track. Tropang 5G mentor Chot Reyes will also pin his hopes on Rey Nambatac, Jordan Heading, Kelly Williams and RR Pogoy.

Meanwhile, the Hotshots and FiberXers will use the momentum of their previous wins to snatch a seat in the next round.

Magnolia blew out Blackwater, 90-75, while Converge pulled off an upset over Barangay Ginebra, 106-96, before the break.