The fight for the q’finals position heats up

Defending champion San Miguel Beer is looking to achieve a three-way tie for the lead against a Phoenix Super LPG team with the goal of having an inside track in the two-time lead to win in the PBA Philippine Cup on Thursday in the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center.

The Beermen are seeking a fifth straight victory in their game with the Fuel Masters at 6:45 p.m., the last of a three-game bill following two quadruple headers that mark the league’s resumption after a short break.

Magnolia hopes to build on his win over TNT the other day when he meets Terrafirma in the opener at 1pm, while Rain or Shine and Meralco face off in a key battle for playoff positioning at 4pm.

A win will place SMB a share of the top spot at 6-2 with TNT, which fell 102-93 to Magnolia, and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, a 112-100 winner over NorthPort.

San Miguel beat Blackwater in overtime, 90-88, last Tuesday in the first morning game in PBA history. Mo Tautuaa, averaging 19.4 points and 8.3 rebounds, will attempt to lead the Beermen’s quest against the Fuel Masters, who are in fifth place at 5-3.

Phoenix will count on Matthew Wright to continue his status as the league’s top scorer with 26.6 points and Calvin Abueva, who has produced 17.0 points, 10.3 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.7 steals since his reinstatement.

Also crucial is the ROS-Meralco fight with the winner gaining ground in the playoff chase. Rain or Shine was defeated 94-74 by NLEX on Wednesday, falling to fourth at 4-2 while Meralco moved up to sixth at 4-3 after their 89-85 win over Blackwater, both contested on Wednesday.

Magnolia manages to consolidate his control in eighth place and improve to 4-4 if he can stay warm and continue the frustration of Terrafirma, the only winless team in the league with a 0-6 scorecard.