MERALCO shoots for solo second spot when it battles winless Macau, while TNT tries to bounce back from a recent loss as it faces Terrafirma in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup on Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila.
The Bolts (4-1), currently tied with the NLEX Road Warriors at second spot, take on the Black Knights (0-5) at 7:30 p.m.
The Tropang 5G (2-2) face off with the Dyip (3-2) at 5:15 p.m.
Meralco sealed its fourth win after subduing TNT, 110-106, in the battle between sister teams.
Coach Luigi Trillo hopes that huge win against the Bol Bol-led TNT could give the Bolts confidence heading to their game against Macau.
And while the Black Knights are still winless through five games, the Bolts know they can’t afford to play complacent basketball as they try to improve on their playoff hopes with another win.
Macau will have to start winning, knowing that another loss could put the team in a more difficult situation to secure a playoff spot.
Meanwhile, TNT can’t simply enter the game against Terrafirma with a lackadaisical approach.
The Dyip have surprised everyone after winning their first three outings, before dropping their last two matches.
Still, with seven-foot import Ali Mubashar, Jerrick Ahanmisi and Paolo Hernandez leading the way, the Tropang 5G will have to bring their A-game.
Bol is coming off a mediocre output of 28 points and 12 rebounds in the loss versus Meralco.
But the 7-3 Bol should have fully recovered from an illness that team officials said led to his generally flat defensive efforts.