MAGNOLIA and NLEX will square off on Friday, and at stake is the first twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals of the PBA Philippine Cup.
The Hotshots and the Road Warriors are even at 7-2 win-loss heading into the Friday night match-up, and victory No. 8 will be enough to obtain one of the four coveted places in the quarterfinals.
Both teams would want to secure the twice-to-beat now, to avoid complications down the road with San Miguel, Barangay Ginebra, Rain or Shine, and TNT among the teams that are also bidding for the quarterfinal incentive.
READ: SMB, NLEX have easiest paths to twice-to-beat spots
Magnolia and NLEX have been occupying the upper echelon of the team standings all conference long.
The Hotshots started the conference on a hot streak, winning the first six games. Magnolia though has been on a mini-slump, losing two of its last three matches including an 85-81 loss to Barangay Ginebra last Sunday.
The Road Warriors have been consistent all conference long. Following a loss in their first game against San Miguel, NLEX racked up six straight wins, and hovered around second place in the standings in the process.
Magnolia will be playing its second game with William Navarro. With the luxury of more time to get accustomed to the system, the Hotshots are expected to be better as they look to atone the loss to the Gin Kings.
NLEX would not want to enter the playoffs on a slump. It has already lost to Meralco last May 25, and was just fresh from regaining its winning ways with a 105-95 victory over Phoenix last Sunday.
Expect the game between Magnolia and NLEX to be intense.
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