TNT goes for a spot in the quarterfinals and a fourth consecutive victory when it faces Terrafirma Wednesday, March 9 in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Tipoff is set at 3 p.m. with the Philippine Cup champions aiming to become the fifth team to secure to join the quarterfinal bus of the season-ending conference.
Blackwater tries to do the unthinkable and avoid making a dubious mark as the first-ever team to go winless during a PBA season at 6 p.m. against Magnolia Pambansang Manok, already assured of the top seed in the quarters.
The Bossing have lost all 21 games in the league’s 46th season, and 29 in a row dating back to the 2020 Philippine Cup, but will attempt to end their misery even if the odds are stacked against them.
Coach Chot Reyes’ Tropang Giga need just one win to barge into the quarters, but can claim a top four finish and a twice-to-beat advantage if they sweep the last two games of the elims.
TNT is also slated to face NorthPort on Friday.
Super rookie Mikey Williams has been on a tear since the start of the winning streak, averaging 26.3 points on a .467 field goal shooting with 4.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.0 steals.
The return of RR Pogoy last week is also a welcome development for the Tropang Giga as they try to end the quarters on a right track.
But a stunning loss to Terrafirma, carrying a 2-8 slate, would put TNT in a must-win game against NorthPort since it can still miss out on a quarters seat.
Meanwhile, Blackwater will bank on import Shawn Glover and veteran guard Jvee Casio to lead its quest to avoid a second straight 0-11 conference.
Glover has produced 35.2 points, 13.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.0 steals in five games after replacing Jaylen Bond
Casio has been playing almost similar to his UAAP days with La Salle, the original Gilas Pilipinas squad and his early PBA years after tallying 20.3 points on 58-percent shooting plus 4.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.0 steals.
Magnolia hopes to end the elims at 10-1 with import Mike Harris tasked to produce a good sequel to his 38-point performance against Alaska last Sunday.