CONVERGE and NorthPort, two teams tottering on the fringes of the Top Eight, clash in a critical PBA Philippine Cup elimination-round tiff at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Saturday.
The duel is set at 5:15 p.m.
The FiberXers and the Batang Pier meet in a virtual playoff face-off at 7:15 p.m., looking for a spark to a desired strong windup that could carry them to safe passage to the post-elims play.
Coach Jeffrey Cariaso and his Converge troops have actually checked their skid and revived their quarterfinals aspirations with a 112-108 drubbing of the NLEX Road Warriors Thursday at the Big Dome.
In their second game in 48 hours Saturday, the FiberXers go for a follow-up and a 4-5 win-loss mark overall in a bid to solidify their hold of eighth spot.
Sponsored content:
"The way we're looking at it, this is the last stretch of the eliminations and at this point, regardless of our record, we still control our destiny," said Cariaso.
The Batang Pier have practically the same in mind while half a game behind the FiberXers at 2-5.
Coach Pido Jarencio and his NorthPort crew are looking for a wake-up call from a five-game slumber, curiously after a stirring 2-0 tournament start.
They're still optimistic it's not yet too late to claw back into contention, hoping to do the job in their last four games against Converge, Phoenix Super LPG, Barangay Ginebra and NLEX.
Against the FiberXers, the Batang Pier also hope that main man Robert Bolick would be good enough to suit up and provide the needed boost coming from an ankle injury.
Sponsored content:
Bolick missed their last game where Beermen spoiled the career milestone by Arwind Santos, who with 25 points became the 17th player in PBA history to score 10,000 points. San Miguel then handed NorthPort a fifth straight loss via a 122-106 rout.
Previously tied with NorthPort and Phoenix at 2-5, the FiberXers grabbed solo eighth on their four-point decision overs the Road Warriors fueled by the sterling efforts of their youth brigade Thursday.
Sophomores David Murrell, Taylor Browne and RK Ilagan, and rookies Tyrus Hill and Justin Arana starred as Converge rebounded from blowouts to San Miguel Beer and Ginebra.
"The guys came out focused and I want to attribute that to the focus and energy they brought to practice. It carried over to this game," said Cariaso.
Cariaso and his chargers intend to keep their push in their three remaining matches against NorthPort, Phoenix and Blackwater. (SB)
