TOURNAMENT frontrunners Magnolia and Meralco clash in an expected slam-bang duel Wednesday, with the Hotshots eyeing an outright spot in the Top Four and the Bolts pushing their own bid for the same target that rewards a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals.
The Hotshots stake their pacesetting 7-1 win-loss mark while the Bolts go for redemption from a loss the last time out as the PBA Governors' Cup action swings back to the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Magnolia and Meralco face off at 6 p.m. in a rematch of their best-of-seven semifinal showdown in the last Philippine Cup won by the Hotshots at 4-2.
The Hotshots have regrouped since losing the all-Filipino finals to the TNT Tropang Giga, and they're the hottest team in the league as they set out for their anticipated match with the Bolts.
Sponsored content:Just one more win in their last three games will assure Mike Harris and his teammates the coveted bonus in the quarters.
The Hotshots closed in on a sure Top Four finish on a stirring 104-87 conquest of the San Miguel Beermen and their highly touted new import Shabazz Muhammad Sunday.
Harris and Paul Lee scored 26 apiece with the former leading their early breakaway and the latter leading the mop-up job in their rebound from a 103-101 loss to NorthPort two nights earlier.
Magnolia, however, is likely to face a tough obstacle Wednesday against a Meralco side that is also in hot chase of a Top Four berth with its 6-2 card.
Coach Norman Black and his crew got stalled Saturday in a 93-94 heartbreaker against the determined Alaska Milk team.
Sponsored content:The Bolts rallied from a 17-point deficit and even seized a six-point margin only to lose in the end, with RK Ilagan firing the dagger for the Aces.
The Hotshots and the Bolts are running one and two, but four teams are within striking distance. NorthPort is at 7-3, Alaska at 6-3 and both San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra at 5-4. (SB)(PBA)
(Photo credits to PBA)