NOW in their best start in a tournament under coach Chito Victolero, the sizzling Magnolia Hotshots look to get going in a bid to improve the milestone and, more importantly, gain an outright quarterfinals entry in the PBA Governors' Cup.
Victolero and his troops go for win No. 6 as they tangle with the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters at 6:45 p.m. Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Minus the injury-hit Calvin Abueva and Rome dela Rosa, Mike Harris and his teammates stayed together and hurdled the NLEX Road Warriors, 112-109, Wednesday to preserve their clean slate and close in on the post-elims play.
The following night, Magnolia was left as the lone remaining unbeaten team in the tourney after Meralco suffered a first defeat at the hands of NorthPort, 109-98.
The Hotshots try to widen their distance over their pursuers as they seek to keep their romp although expecting a tough, tough challenge against the Fuel Masters.
On the brink of defeat the last time out, Phoenix made a crucial turnaround at the finish to stun TNT Tropang Giga, 93-92.
The Fuel Masters will ride the momentum of that heartwarming triumph as they try to make it 2-0 with replacement import Dominique Sutton and 5-2 overall.
Sutton, a PBA veteran with previous stints with Air21 and GlobalPort, was good for only 13 points and 10 rebounds in his debut with Phoenix.
But coach Topex Robinson is hopeful Sutton has a lot more to give once he settles down with the team.
The Kansas State forward had just had two practices with the Fuel Masters when he took the floor as Mike Harris' replacement. Harris has flown home due to a hamstring injury. (SB)(PBA)
(Photo credits to:PBA)