TNT and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel look to complete a back-to-back schedule with victories before their big showdown when they face separate opponents Wednesday in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center.
The Tropang Giga are wary of the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok in their 4 p.m. match while the Kings look to take advantage of the heartbroken NorthPort Batang Pier in the finale of another four-game bill at 6:45 p.m.
Rain or Shine hopes to stay in second spot against upset-minded NLEX at 10 a.m. while Meralco tries to stay inside the playoff picture at 1 p.m. opposite a Blackwater side smarting from an overtime loss to San Miguel Beer during lunchtime Tuesday.
Emerging victorious in the latter part of their back-to-back will give TNT and Ginebra momentum before they meet Friday in a potential finals preview.
Both got themselves back on their feet Tuesday with TNT pummeling NorthPort, 112-87, and Ginebra rallying from 13 down to defeat Alaska 87-81 in the nightcap.
TNT won after its 5-0 start was snapped by NLEX last Thursday while Ginebra suffered two straight setbacks following four straight wins to open the campaign inside the bubble known as Smart Clark Giga City.
Ray Parks Jr., Roger Pogoy and Troy Rosario are expected to play big roles while it will be interesting to see if Jayson Castro will log huge minutes after a cameo appearance against NorthPort, given the opposition TNT is facing.
Magnolia carries a 2-4 slate, but was responsible for handing Ginebra its first loss last Oct. 25.
Ginebra, meanwhile, looks to gain ground in the standings and boost its confidence with a win over NorthPort.
TNT is the first of a difficult stretch for Ginebra as it will also face San Miguel Beer on Sunday.
Rain or Shine is not taking NLEX lightly despite being in second place at 4-1. The Elasto Painters are also playing the first of a back-to-back as they’ll face the Bolts on Thursday.
Meralco needs a win over Blackwater, which lost 90-88 to SMB in the PBA’s first morning game Tuesday, to boost its chance of finally making the playoffs in the all-Filipino tourney.