TNT and San Miguel Beer, protagonists and in the Philippine Cup title series, are facing contrasting situations heading into their respective PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup matches on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Tropang 5G have won their last three assignments and will shoot for their fourth straight win and a chance to enhance their top 2 bid against the Converge FiberXers at 7:30 p.m.
On the other hand, San Miguel Beer enter its 5:15 p.m. game tied with Magnolia at seventh to eighth spots, and will be shooting for its fifth win against sputtering Blackwater (1-6).
The Tropang 5G are looking to ride on the momentum of their last three victories, though they are well aware of the danger facing the FiberXers.
Converge, a pretournament favorite, sure has been a big disappointment thus far with its inferior 2-6 record.
It didn’t help that super rookie Juan Gomez De Liano and veteran Calvin Abueva missed several games due to injuries, while 7-foot import Kylor Kelly’s performance has plummeted in recent matches.
The former South Bay Lakers big man and 2026 NBA G League All-Defensive team member is coming conference-lows of seven points and six rebounds in just 25 minutes of play in Converge’s 106-94 loss to Magnolia last Sunday.
Head coach Delta Pineda admitted the team is mulling the possibility of bringing in a new import, but with three games to go, things could be tight for the FiberXers.
On the other hand, the Beermen are happy to have Bennie Boatwright back, who erupted for 41 points and 11 rebounds in their 98-94 comeback win to end NLEX’s four-game win streak.
At 4-4, SMB coach Leo Austria knows the team still has a lot of work to do to secure a playoff spot.
