Both stopped on their tracks Saturday, Rain or Shine and Converge will aim for a quick recovery in a Tuesday night showdown in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Elasto Painters and the FiberXers clash in a crucial tiff at 7:30 p.m., fighting for a result that will keep them in the lead bunch in chase of a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals.
Heading to the homestretch of the elims, NorthPort is sizzling on top at 7-1 with Rain or Shine leading the chase group at 5-2 followed closely by TNT (4-2) and a three-team bunch at fourth place in Converge (6-3), Hong Kong Eastern (6-3) and Barangay Ginebra (6-3).
ROS and Converge were in striking distance of NorthPort before their slip-ups in their last outings.
The Elasto Painters fell to a 91-93 upset by the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters as the FiberXers were beaten by the same margin by the TNT Tropang Giga, 96-98, in a pair of grind-out games Saturday.
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Coach Yeng Guiao's troops and coach Franco Atienza's wards will now endeavor to quickly regain their winning ways as another loss could doom their hopes for a Top Two finish.
Both are also hoping to seal a quarterfinals entry as early as they can.
The E-Painters had been on a five-game romp until being halted by the Fuel Masters on a putback by Ken Tuffin with seven-tenths of a second to go.
Earlier in the night, the FiberXers also saw the end of their streak as they were beaten by Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and the Tropang Giga in a battle down the stretch.
RHJ knocked down a pair of pivotal jumpers and Calvin Oftana hit a big one from deep as Chot Reyes' troops erased a five-point deficit and took a two-point cushion with 1:07 left.
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They then forced their rivals to a crucial missed three-pointer and a 24-second shot clock violation before eluding the foul attempts of their Converge defenders in their final offensive to run out the clock and ice it.
With the escape, TNT beat its industry rival and handed the FiberXers a first loss in their last five outings. (SB)
