MAGNOLIA Chicken Timplados and Meralco part ways in a key matchup on Sunday in the 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The Hotshots take on the Bolts at 6:45 p.m. in a game that could determine their fate in the conference.
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The teams are in a tie for sixth place with 4-3 win-loss records with still a shot at the four twice-to-beat spots in the quarterfinals.
After a 0-3 start, the Hotshots have won four straight games, since they called on Antonio Hester to take over from Eric McCree.
The Bolts began the conference with two straight victories, but they have been on roller coaster since then, winning just two of their last five outings.
Magnolia will have a relatively lighter schedule after its Sunday game as it faces bottom teams NorthPort, Terrafirma, and Blackwater.
Meralco, on the other hand, will have a grueling stretch as it will next take on Barangay Ginebra, Converge, and Phoenix.
Magnolia continued its winning streak with a 112-97 victory over Rain or Shine last Wednesday, with Jio Jalalon spearheading the Hotshots with 19 points, eight rebounds, and four assists.
Meralco, on the other hand, ended a two-game losing streak by defeating NLEX, 114-98, last Thursday.
In the first game, Converge goes for a share of second place when it takes on Phoenix Super LPG at 4:30 p.m.
The FiberXers own a 6-2 win-loss record and a win will tie them with idle San Miguel at second place in the team standings.
Maverick Ahanmisi lit up with 31 points, 22 in the third quarter, to lift the FiberXers to a 98-90 win over Blackwater last Thursday.
They will face a Fuel Masters team clinging to eighth spot in the team standings with a 2-5 win-loss record.
Phoenix had the benefit of an eight-day respite after it beat Terrafirma, 125-100, on Feb. 18.
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