Meralco aims to stay right behind the frontrunners while Phoenix Petroleum seeks to go above the .500 mark again as they square off in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday.
The Bolts and the Fuel Masters clash at 7 p.m., both looking to build momentum heading into the homestretch of the elimination round.
Coach Norman Black and his troops are at solo fourth place at 4-2 while coach Louie Alas and his chargers are at joint fifth with the Magnolia Hotshots and the San Miguel Beermen at 3-3 going to their crucial setto.
Right behind them in the team standings are GlobalPort at 3-4 and Columbian Dyip at 3-5.
From the All-Star break, Meralco won its first game against Barangay Ginebra (93-82) while the Fuel Masters dropped theirs against the Beermen (94-106).
Sponsored content: Needless to say, both have to get going if they're to contend at least for a spot in the Top Six. The Top Two earn a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals while the next four figure in a pair of best-of-three quarterfinals series.
The Bolts will have the size advantage versus the Fuel Masters especially in the Arinze Onuaku-Eugene Phelps matchup.
Onuaku delivered 24 points and 23 rebounds in a double-double game complemented well by Chris Newsome, Jared Dillinger and Anjo Caram as the Bolts topped the Kings the last time out.
The Bolts were a bundle of energy in their return from the All-Star break. Newsome stood out among the locals with 22 points, five rebounds and the same number of assists, inspired by a number of relatives cheering him on the game.
"We needed a bounce-back win and I was inspired as I got my family here," said Newsome shortly after the game.
Sponsored content: His clan from his mother side from Ilocos Norte came in full force to watch the game. They're in Manila to attend the graduation of Newsome's sister.
Dillinger contributed 13 points, Caram added 12 while Baser Amer chipped in 10 markers off the bench as they pulled one against the very team which was their tormentor in the last two Governors Cup finals.(SB)
