Two of the hottest teams in the PBA collide as the emerging dark horse Converge takes on a battle-tested TNT in the Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 11.

The FiberXers (6-2), owners of a four-game winning run, hope to sustain their hot streak from last year against an equally surging Tropang Giga (3-2) who are coming off a morale-boosting win against the Meralco Bolts to open the year.

Tip-off is at 5 p.m. with an equally interesting clash between Rain or Shine (5-1), a team that is seeking its sixth-straight victory, and Phoenix (2-5), a squad determined to make the climb from the bottom of the standings in the 7:30 p.m. affair.

TNT head coach Chot Reyes, however, cautioned his charges against Converge – a team he deemed to be very formidable just judging by the depth of its lineup.

“They have three good guards in Schonny (Winston), (Jordan) Heading and (Alec) Stockton and kumpleto sila, they have good wings in (Kevin) Racal and Mike Nieto,” Reyes said of Converge.

“And their big man lineup in Balti (Justine Baltazar) and (Justin)Arana and they have an import that they love to play with and fits their game. Kumpleto, a very deep, very well-balanced team, like I said we have our work really cut out for us in the next game,” added the veteran mentor.

Although the Tropang Giga certainly have the tools and firepower to go toe-to-toe, Reyes stressed that it’s also a good thing that TNT is carrying the much-needed momentum ahead of the clash.

TNT pulled off a 101-99 escape against Meralco – a victory Reyes hopes to become a springboard for the rest of their elimination schedule.

“We talked about it. We wanted to start strong (for the year) because we thought it’s gonna be a good springboard for the rest of the conference,” said Reyes, who will banking anew on import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson along with local stars Calvin Oftana, RR Pogoy and veterans Jayson Castro and Kelly Williams.

“We have to come and play against a very hot team that is playing at a very high level so I'm glad we were able to get this W but we have to play much better if we want to be able to compete against Converge,” he stressed.