SAN MIGUEL BEER and Meralco clash in a crucial duel of champs in Candon City, Ilocos Sur Saturday, fighting to improve their positions in a mad scramble to the PBA Commissioner's Cup playoffs.
The All-Filipino rulers Bolts try to put a lock on a playoff berth while the reigning Commissioner's Cup titlists Beermen try to firm up hold of eighth spot as they duke it out in a lone road weekend game at 7:30 p.m.
For coach Luigi Trillo and his wards, it's also about hanging on in a wild rumble for the Top Two and twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals.
It's a critical match with Meralco eyeing a piece of second spot with NorthPort and Converge at 7-3 while San Miguel, at eighth at 4-4, sets out to widen its gap versus pursuers Magnolia (4-6), Phoenix Super LPG (3-6) and NLEX (3-6).
Out of it all are Blackwater (2-7) and Terrafirma (0-10).
Sponsored content: Though still awaiting the return of some more key players, Meralco was a cohesive unit in trumping erstwhile leader NorthPort, 111-94, Tuesday.
The Bolts whipped the NLEX Road Warriors, 105-91, earlier in a climb sending them back in the hunt for the precious win-once bonus in the Last Eight.
Shooting 45 percent from the field and limiting themselves to just nine errors, the Road Warriors were too much for the Batang Pier.
"NorthPort has been playing really good basketball. They deserved every win as they've been taking down a lot of quality teams. They're the real deal, we just played better defensively," said Trillo. "We know this team can score with the likes of Joshua (Munzon), Arvin (Tolentino), Will (Navarro) and Kadeem (Jack) but our bench came out. It's an all-around effort."
"It's an important game for us. I was excited to play NorthPort because they're playing the best this conference. We really wanted to see where we are at as a team and we responded well. We did a very good job," said Chris Banchero, leading the Bolts locals in scoring with 25.
Sponsored content: The Beermen, meanwhile, regained a .500 mark the last time in snapping a two-game slide with an 85-78 win over the Magnolia Hotshots on three-point daggers from Marcio Lassiter and CJ Perez.
But they know they have to settle down while tottering on the fringes of the playoff picture heading to the last stretch of the elims. (SB)
