Games Tuesday

(Ninoy Aquino Stadium)

5:30 p.m. – Converge vs NLEX

7:00 p.m. – NorthPort vs Phoenix

NorthPort not only aims to inch closer to an assured playoff ticket but is also eyeing a franchise history when it tries to go for its sixth win against the still winless Phoenix in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Tuesday, Dec. 17.

The Batang Pier have been undefeated through five games and a sixth straight win in the 7:30 p.m. showdown with the Fuel Master would allow them to set the longest streak of their franchise history.

Setting up the table for the clash is the showdown between Converge and NLEX, two teams looking to get back on the winning track in the first offering at 5:30 p.m.

Reaching the six-win mark will also have one of NorthPort’s feet already inside the quarterfinals door – a goal the team initially had set prior to the season after missing out on the playoffs in the last two conferences.

And a huge part of the team’s rise in this conference is the splendid showing so far of forward Joshua Munzon to join import Kadeem Jack and main man Arvin Tolentino at the forefront of the hot streak.

Munzon, for one, is coming off a 30-point explosion in NorthPort’s 108-101 victory over Converge.

“I just had the confidence in myself  to take shots and told my teammates to let me take them. I'm happy they went in and we got the win," said Munzon on his solid performances that also earned him a Player of the Week citations last week after his team’s triumphs over NLEX, Terrafirma, Magnolia and TNT.

Phoenix, however, is surely not going to roll over and just die as another loss would push them further down the standings and could even put them on the brink of elimination.

The Fuel Masters are still winless through four games despite the solid performances from import Donovan Smith and locals Tyler Tio and Jason Perkins.

Support from the bench, from the likes of Ken Tuffin, Ricci Rivero and RJ Jazul would certainly be a big boost for Phoenix should it wants to finally break into the win column.