Phoenix hopes to sustain its rise from the ashes as it takes on TNT in an interesting encounter crucial to their respective playoff bids at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Wednesday, April 23.

Slumping to a 2-5 start in the conference, the Fuel Masters suddenly pumped life to their playoff hopes with a victory against the NLEX Road Warriors – a triumph that should build them enough confidence heading into the 7:30 p.m. affair against the Tropang Giga.

Similarly, Terrafirma and NorthPort also tangle in the first offering at 4:30 p.m. with both squads looking to end their respective losing skids that have put their once promising runs now hanging in the balance.

Locked into a three-way tie at the 9th to 11th spot with same 3-5 records with Blackwater and Meralco, Phoenix is looking to move up to the middle pack to also crowd the opening game protagonists Terrafirma and Northort which both have 5-4 slates.

The Fuel Masters certainly have shown the capability to do so especially after torching the Road Warriors – a team that was coming into that contest as the heavy favorite – with 17 triples.

RJ Jazul was at the forefront of that three-point barrage, drilling six triples on his way to 19 points in the 112–77 win over NLEX.

The Fuel Masters will need more of that, as well as the stellar showing from fellow veteran Jason Perkins and rookies Ricci Rivero and Ken Tuffin, if they wish to topple a perennial contending team like the Tropang Giga.

Of course, it would be easier said than done especially against TNT, which is likewise chasing for a better positioning in the quarterfinals. Calvin Oftana, RR Pogoy and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser should also be raring to get back on track after a heartbreaking 87-83 defeat against Barangay Ginebra.

Meanwhile, in the opening game, the Dyip are hoping to prevent their wheels from completely falling off after a good start to the conference. Terrafirma had suffered two-straight defeats, dropping a close 113-110 loss to San Miguel and a lopsided 116-104 defeat against Rain or Shine.

Falling into a much deeper hole, on the other hand, are the Batang Pier who already absorbed four losses in a row. NorthPort is coming off a demoralizing 120-100 defeat against SMB.