by Jonas Terrado

Games Today (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

4:30 p.m. – NorthPort vs TNT KaTropa

6:45 p.m. – San Miguel vs Alaska

TNT KaTropa and San Miguel Beer look to enter the quarterfinals with momentum on their hands when they face separate rivals fighting for survival in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The KaTropa take on the struggling NorthPort Batang Pier in the first game at 4:30 p.m. before the Beermen lock horns with the Alaska Aces in the other match set at 6:45 p.m.

RR Pogoy of TnT KaTropa guarded by Russel Escoto and Rashawn McCarthy of Columbian Dyip. (PBA Images)

Both teams are seeking favorable seedings going into next month’s playoffs.

A sixth consecutive victory will put TNT in a tie for second place with Rain or Shine at 8-3, thus giving them a chance to secure the second twice-to-beat advantage.

TNT needs to beat NorthPort while Barangay Ginebra San Miguel loses one of its final three matches to gain the bonus due to a win-over-the-other rule.

Designated head coach Bong Ravena and active consultant Mark Dickel are hoping to see TNT play better this time after surviving a late comeback attempt by the Columbian Dyip, 101-98, last Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Roger Pogoy, Jayson Castro, Troy Rosario and Ryan Reyes are expected to lead the KaTropa attack against a Batang Pier side that needs to win its remaining three games.

NorthPort has lost six straight after a 2-0 start, some of the result came in heartbreaking fashion.

Meanwhile, San Miguel tries to secure a place in the best-of-three series with a win over Alaska.

San Miguel, carrying a 6-4 record, is no longer in contention for a twice-to-beat bonus after a 96-93 loss to Phoenix Pulse last March 16 in Panabo City, Davao del Norte.

Tags: Barangay Ginebra , Barangay Ginebra San Miguel , Columbian Dyip , Ginebra San Miguel , Jayson Castro , PBA , PBA Philippine Cup , Roger Pogoy , Ryan Reyes , San Miguel Beer