Rain or Shine and TNT collide in a match that could spell huge implications to their playoff hopes as the PBA Commissioner’s Cup welcomes the new year with a thrilling double-header at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday, Jan. 5.

The Elasto Painters are looking to start the new year the same way they ended it – with a bang – as they hope to keep their win streak alive against the Tropang Giga in the main event at 8 p.m.

Raising the curtain to the clash is the intriguing match between the also-ran Blackwater and the still playoff chasing NorthPort in the first offering at 4 p.m.

ROS and TNT are actually looking to break a deadlock at the seventh spot of the standings with both of them sporting an identical 4-5 record and just a half a game behind No. 6 NorthPort which boasts a 5-4 slate and a full game ahead of NLEX which has a 3-6 card at ninth.

While both teams are very much inside the playoff picture, the Elasto Painters and the Tropang Giga have similar goals of trying to move further up the standings to avoid any complications to their respective plans.

Currently the hottest team, Rain or Shine certainly has the tools and, more importantly, the momentum to do so having won its last four games behind the stellar performances from young guns Andrei Caracut, Keith Datu, Leonard Santillan and Gian Mamuyac.

Import Demetrius Treadwell is also looking even more adjusted to the team, providing a huge impact especially on the defensive end and rebounding department evident to ROS’ 4-1 record ever since he joined the crew.

TNT, in contrast, cannot catch a break as it was forced to let go of import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson after suffering a neck injury during one of their East Asia Super League games.

Rondae’s brother, Rahlir, is set to take over as the Tropang Giga but it is set to be another period of adjustment for a team that has never been completed through the season so far due to injuries.

Calvin Oftana is expected to carry the cudgels anew for TNT that is still missing Poy Erram, Justin Chua and RR Pogoy. Guys like Jewel Ponferrada and Kelly Williams have been solid in manning the fort but the Tropang Giga could get more support if star guard Jayson Castro manages to return.