CONVERGE and Phoenix, two red-hot teams, intend to sustain their fiery run in the mid-season tourney.
What team will achieve its lofty goal will be known when the FiberXers square off with the Fuel Masters today for solo second in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The curtain-raiser is set at 3 p.m., with the combatants eyeing to notch a sixth straight win.
NLEX takes on NorthPort in the other match at 5:45 p.m.
That is easier said than done, according to Converge coach Aldin Ayo, who is convinced his charges will have their hands full against a Phoenix crew that employs nearly the same run-and-gun type of play.
“It will be like a collegiate matchup. Nakikita ko lahat ng ginagawa nila ngayon,” Ayo said. “I’m familiar with them and they’re familiar with me also.
“We have the same approach so it would be an exciting game. Pagtratrabahuhan namin, paghahandaan namin,” he added.
Carrying a 6-2 mark that included a 108-84 demolition of the Road Warriors four days ago, the FiberXers will count on import Quincy Miller, Aljun Melecio, Maverick Ahanmisi, Jeron Teng, RK Ilagan, and Justin Arana.
Fuel Masters tactician Topex Robinson said he wants his players to keep their feet on the pedal like they showed in a stunning 91-88 decision over TNT last Oct. 30.
“We took away ‘easy’ in our vocabulary and even if we’re winning, we just keep on pushing these guys and these guys are also pushing us coaches to get better,” Robinson said.
“We still have a lot of work to do. We know that it’s gonna be harder the next time because we’re gonna play Converge, which is also playing well.”
Reinforcement Kaleb Wesson, Tyler Tio, Javee Mocon, RJ Jazul, and Encho Serrano will carry the fight for Phoenix in its bid to hike its 5-3 card.
With a 3-4 slate, NLEX will pin its hopes on import Earl Clark, Don Trollano, Kevin Alas, Justin Chua, and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser.
The Batang Pier will go into the duel aching to recover from a heartbreaking 75-76 loss to Rain or Shine last Friday.
