The heat is on as two of the hottest teams — Converge and Phoenix — clash in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Game time is at 3 p.m. with both the FiberXers and the Fuel Masters colliding in this crucial battle in a bid to claim their sixth straight win in this import-laced conference.
Meanwhile, NLEX and NorthPort collide in the second game at 5:45 p.m. for a victory that will boost their ranking heading into the crucial stretch of the eliminations.
Both the FiberXers and the Fuel Masters are on a roll.
For the FiberXers, it gave them a chance to post their longest winning streak in their young franchise history, but more importantly, it put them tied for second to third places with visiting team Bay Area with the same 6-2 win-loss record.
A win over the Fuel Masters will boost the FiberXers chances of securing a twice-to-beat advantage ahead of the playoffs while continuing to reach milestones in just their maiden season in Asia’s pioneering professional league.
Last week, Converge was able to pick up its fifth consecutive victory despite missing the services of import Quincy Miller for the most part of the match.
The National Basketball Association veteran was ejected with still 1:18 left in the second period and the FiberXers comfortably ahead over NLEX, 58-35.
Miller had already incurred a technical foul earlier against Road Warriors enforcer Mike Miranda.
On Monday, Miller was summoned by league commissioner Willie Marcial to remind him of avoiding getting ejected again as a repetition of such would merit an automatic suspension.
“I just reminded him of the rule, so he can avoid getting suspended,” Marcial added.
Phoenix is also a team on a mission and since the reported sale of the franchise broke out, it inspired the rest of the team to put together five straight victories to match its longest winning streak in three years.
Now the Fuel Masters will likewise have an opportunity of sustaining their run while putting themselves in a better position to move up at least in the top four.
NLEX and NorthPort, two teams teetering on the brink of elimination, square off in the main game.
The Road Warriors had lost back-to-back games while the Batang Pier dropped their last three matches which put both of them in an uncomfortable position.
Unless they can do something positive in a hurry that may change their fortunes in the midseason conference, either of these two squads could find itself taking an early vacation this conference.
