League-leader TNT stakes its unbeaten record against another title contender as the second week of the PBA Philippine Cup resumption starts Wednesday, Sept. 8 at the Don Honorio Ventura State University in Bacolor, Pampanga.
The Tropang Giga, who swept their three games the previous week to climb into the top spot of the standings, go for a seventh win against the San Miguel Beermen in the middle game of the tripleheader set at 3 p.m.
Magnolia Pambansang Manok aims to climb at solo second when it tackles streaking NLEX in a battle of teams inside the four in the 12:30 p.m. opener while defending champion Barangay Ginebra San Miguel tries to get back on track against Rain or Shine at 6 p.m.
TNT won all of its three games to begin its Pampanga campaign, including conquests of Meralco (91-76) and Magnolia (83-76).
Jayson Castro, rookie Mikey Williams and veteran Kelly Williams have been key for the Tropang Giga in keeping coach Chot Reyes perfect after six games to begin his second tenure with the club.
San Miguel, in fifth place at 3-2, is out to bounce back from a shock 110-104 overtime loss to Terrafirma exactly a week ago.
The Beermen, however, have not played since that defeat after their scheduled match against the Alaska Aces last Sept. 4 was postponed due to COVID-19 protocols.
Sister teams Magnolia and Ginebra are also eager to bounce back from losing their previous games.
Magnolia fell to 5-2 after its two second in the last three games, all against NLEX’s sister teams in Meralco and TNT.
NLEX is also red-hot with three straight victories, including the last two in Bacolor to move in solo fourth at 4-2.
Ginebra suffered a 95-90 upset loss to Terrafirma last Sept. 3 and dropped to 2-3. The defending Philippine Cup champions were supposed to take on the Meralco Bolts two days later only for the game to be put on hold due to health and safety protocols.
Rain or Shine, sitting in sixth place at 4-3, absorbed a 78-77 loss to Phoenix Super LPG last Sept. 2 when Matthew Wright’s jumper completed the Fuel Masters’ comeback from a 15-point deficit.