Mid-of-pack sides in key matches

NLEX Road Warriors’ Clint Doliguez. –PBA IMAGES

Sandwiched between Gilas Pilipinas’ campaign in the final phase of the International Basketball Federation (Fiba) World Cup Asian Qualifiers are crucial games for teams either in the middle of the pack or those trying to keep whatever hopes they have of making the quarterfinals of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup.

The Smart Araneta Coliseum hosts a pair of weekend doubleheaders, beginning with NorthPort and Blackwater hoping to climb up from the tail end of the standings and NLEX seeking a quarters berth opposite Rain or Shine on Saturday.

Converge battles Phoenix before streaking Magnolia and Meralco square off the following day.

Five spots are still available as the eliminations wind down to the final three weeks, which would be a busy one not only due to several PBA players suiting up for the national squad but also the All-Star Weekend on March 9 to March 12 in Passi City, Iloilo.

Three teams are already in with TNT on top at 8-1, San Miguel Beer at 7-2 and Converge with 6-2 after clinching its spot last Thursday with a 98-90 victory over Blackwater.

NLEX is fifth at 5-3 after a 114-98 loss to Meralco on the same day. The Road Warriors have dropped three of the last four that included Barangay Ginebra and Magnolia.

With the next two games against teams below them—the other being Terrafirma next week—it’s an opportunity for the Road Warriors to get as many wins as possible to further their chances of a top four finish.