It’s a clash for supremacy in the Group A standings as leaders Meralco and TNT figure in a massive collision in the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Thursday, Sept 12.

There will be no sister teams whatsoever in the 5:00 p.m. showdown as the Bolts and the Tropang Giga, both sporting a 5-1 record, battle for the solo lead in the standings in hopes of inching closer to an outright quarterfinals spot.

Following suit is the clash between a Terrafirma team (0-6) fighting for its dear life, and a Magnolia squad (3-3) formally welcoming new import Shabazz Muhammad to resume their chase for a Top 4 seat in the 7:30 p.m. affair.

Interestingly, with Blackwater’s three-game winning streak getting snapped by Barangay Ginebra on Tuesday, Sept. 9, Meralco and TNT are now the hottest teams in the league with the former on a four-game winning run and the latter triumphant in its last three games.

Their win streaks are largely behind the superb performances of the teams’ respective imports which put a fitting sidelight to the mouth-watering clash.

Allen Durham, after some rough start, has been lording it over – a stark improvement from his performance the last time TNT and Meralco met in the first round.

He was only limited to just eight points but since then had been posting double-double numbers to power Meralco’s streak. The loss against the Tropang Giga was also the last time the Bolts were defeated in this conference.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, on the other hand, outplayed Durham in their meeting with 25 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists. 

Of course, the two imports are not lacking in local support despite their respective lineups still dealing with a handful of injuries.

Veterans Jayson Castro, RR Pogoy along with Calvin Oftana and Rey Nambatac are expected to lead the charge anew for the Tropang Giga as they go up against a formidable Bolts cast that features Chris Newsome, Chris Banchero, Bong Quinto and Brandon Bates.

Meanwhile in the second game, Muhammad has now been given clearance to suit up for Magnolia after failing to do so in its last game against Meralco in Panabo City.

Taking over the role of first import Glenn Robinson III, Muhammad is expected to provide more firepower to the team which has been on a roller coaster ride so far with an even 3-3 record.

The Dyip, meanwhile, is hoping to finally find the spark they need to pull the rug from under the Hotshots and notch their first win of the tournament.