Having seen what a single misstep could do, twice-to-beat holders Rain or Shine and TNT will be extra cautious against their lower-seeded but determined opponents in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Philippine Cup quarterfinals today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Set to clash in the 5:15 p.m. curtain-raiser are the Elasto Painters against Meralco, while the Tropang 5G battle Magnolia at 7:30 p.m. to cap the double-header feature.
Defending champion and top-seeded San Miguel Beer is already through to the best-of-seven semifinals.
On the other hand, No. 4-ranked Converge was forced into a rubber match tomorrow at the same Cubao venue by fifth-seeded Barangay Ginebra.
Both Rain or Shine and TNT aim to avoid going into a precarious do-or-die situation with quick disposals of their respective quarterfinals rivals.
“We’re not looking at it as a twice-to-beat. We’re just looking at it as a one to win,” Tropang 5G coach Chot Reyes said.
TNT has momentum on its side, winning three straight games, including an end of elimination round victory over the Hotshots, 94-83, last week to spoil Magnolia playing coach LA Tenorio’s return to active action.
The Tropang 5G also has the psychological advantage of beating the Hotshots in last year’s all-Filipino conference quarters, beating Magnolia twice on their way to a runner-up finish.
Reeling from back-to-back defeats to cap the elims, the Hotshots must rediscover the fire that got them going in the early part of the season-opening conference.
Meanwhile, Rain or Shine targets a fifth straight semis appearance despite coming into the game fresh off a 100-102 loss to the Kings in Bahrain last 17 December.
A good long rest should rejuvenate the Yeng Guiao-mentored squad to replicate its 96-95 escape over the Bolts in the elims last 11 October.
Meralco had a long layoff since a 105-84 rout of Converge on 14 December.
Interestingly, if Rain or Shine and TNT secure seats in the next round, it will mark their fourth straight Final Four pairing.
In the other semis bracket, San