PHOENIX Super LPG seeks to continue rolling as the hottest team of the PBA Season 48 Commissioner's Cup in a fireworks-filled Christmas Day duel with San Miguel Beer.
Game time is 4 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum with the second-running Fuel Masters hunting for their seventh straight victory and eighth overall in nine games overall that will move them closer to twice-to-beat incentives in the quarterfinals.
The Beermen (5-3) are hot on the trail of the same bonus in the playoffs, reserved only for the Top 4 ranked squads at the end of the 11-game elims.
SMB is locked in a tie for fourth with defending champion Barangay
Ginebra (also with 5-3), which is equally determined to get inside track in the race for No. 4.
The Gin Kings are poised to grab Win No. 6 against TNT (4-4) in the second match at 6:30 p.m., making it important for coach Jorge Gallent's troops to take care of business against Phoenix.
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Currently on a two-game run, the Beermen look to progress with a new import in tow, Bennie Boatwright, who is replacing Ivan Aska.
A former University of Southern California standout, the 6-9 Boatwright is billed as a sweet-shooting forward who can hit it from long range.
Phoenix thus has to make adjustments on the fly when it plays Boatwright for the first time.
"San Miguel is going to come in prepared. They got a new import so a lot of work to be done," said Fuel Masters coach Jamike Jarin.
"But hopefully, with the way things are going with us, we continue to be competitive."
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Jarin's youth-laden crew bannered by the efficient Johnathan Williams III has been on a tear in the conference, posting the franchise's longest win streak at six games so far to seriously contend for the elite positions in the playoffs.
"Can't be too high, can't be too low. You have to stay grounded and that's how we approach every game," said Jarin.
"It's the culture that we built right now - that's about being selfless. We're just ready to compete in all the games and hopefully at the end of 40 minutes of being competitive, you get the victory." (OL)
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