Magnolia looks for its fourth consecutive victory; Meralco tackles the TNT skid

Two games pitting hot and cold teams against each other will be Saturday’s theme as playoff positioning heats up at the PBA Philippine Cup at the University of Angeles Foundation Sports and Cultural Center.

Magnolia faces Rain or Shine at 4 p.m. before Meralco takes on TNT at 6:45 p.m. as the league temporarily returns to its traditional doubleheader roster after holding three to four games a day since eliminations resumed.

Both results will play a crucial role in the final standings of these four teams once the playoffs conclude on Wednesday.

Meralco fourth runner (5-3) and Magnolia eighth place (4-4) enter both contests with winning streaks produced in a timely manner.

The Bolts are closing in on the quarterfinal spot that has eluded them in the all-Filipino tournament for nearly half a decade after back-to-back victories over Blackwater Elite and Elasto Painters.

On the other hand, the Hotshots broke a 1-4 start by defeating Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, Tropang Giga and Terrafirma Dyip to earn an inside track in a top eight final.

Meralco faces TNT, who lost first place after Friday night’s 85-79 loss to new leader Geneva, while Magnolia fights a Rain or Shine team that lost their last two assignments.

TNT fell to a part of second place with Phoenix at 6-3, but remains in good position to claim a two-shot lead.

Tropang Giga have in fact lost the last two games and three of the previous four meetings. Rain or Shine fell from within the top four to sixth place on a 4-3 scorecard following losses to NLEX (94-74) and Meralco (85-78).

Ending his downfall will be a morale boost for TNT and Rain or Shine as he tries to get the necessary boost at the end of the playoffs.