PBA Releases Rare Quad Headers

Eight teams begin an endurance test in the race for places in the quarterfinals when the PBA Philippine Cup resumes after a short break Tuesday at the University of Angeles Foundation Sports and Cultural Center.

Blackwater faces a tough test against defending champion San Miguel Beer in the 10 a.m. opener on their return from two postponed games. Game 2 features Phoenix Super LPG vs. Terrafirma winless at 1pm

The action continues into late afternoon into the evening with TNT taking on NorthPort at 4pm and skidding Barangay Geneva San Miguel against Alaska’s streak at 6:45 pm

It will be the first of five quadruple headers the league created for the eliminations to conclude on November 11.

That also put most teams in the situation of having to play back-to-back games, something that is rare in the 45-year history of Asia’s pay-per-play cycle.

Blackwater, TNT, NorthPort and Geneva are the first teams to endure such a grueling schedule, as they will also play on Wednesday in another four-game set.

It will be Blackwater’s first game in 12 days after the league suspended its games against Rain or Shine and Magnolia following a false positive test from one of the team’s players.

Whether the long breather can benefit the elite will be known against the veteran Beermen, who have won their last three games.

Chasing rebounds is TNT, which saw its six-game undefeated start interrupted by NLEX, 109-98, last Thursday. Tropang Giga is also targeting a virtual quarter-final space against Batang Pier, which needs the bottom of the standings at 1-4.

Alaska is looking for a third straight win against Geneva, which suffered back-to-back losses after a 4-0 start.

The 5-3 Aces will be leaning on Vic Manuel, who shared the PBA Press Corps Co-Player of the Week honors with Rain or Beau Belga de Shine against the Kings.

Guinevere dropped two tough assignments to Magnolia and Rain or Shine, hence the need to play with more urgency.