The 2023–24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup pits Meralco and Phoenix Super LPG against one another in an attempt to win the twice-to-beat advantage.

At 4 p.m., the Bolts and Fuel Masters play at the Coliseum Smart-Araneta.

With a 7-2 win-loss record, Meralco and Phoenix are tied for second place. The winner will receive the quarterfinal incentive.

The Bolts are riding high after defeating Magnolia Chicken Timplados, the league leader, 85–80 in Iloilo City last Saturday.

Magnolia secured the top position in the quarterfinals after Jason Perkins scorched the outside in the first half and Jonathan Williams took over in the second, handing Meralco their third defeat in ten games.

Perkins made four three-pointers during the game and scored 16 of his 22 points in the first half, giving Phoenix a 54-47 advantage.

Phoenix, led by 19 points from Williams and 15 rebounds in the second half, overcame Meralco’s attempt at a comeback with a three-pointer from RJ Jazul to extend their lead to 91-83.

Phoenix took its biggest lead of the game, 31-16, late in the first quarter.

Phoenix’s coach Jamike Jarin stated that there is no time to unwind as the team prepares for its final elimination-round match against TNT, even if they have already won twice.

The Fuel Masters are eager to return after a protracted absence. Last Christmas, they suffered a 117-96 loss at San Miguel.

NLEX will take on Converge at 8 p.m. in the second game in an attempt to maintain its postseason hopes.

With Terrafirma remaining on their schedule, the Bolts, who received 19 points and nine rebounds from Shonn Miller, fell to 7-3 and are now tied for third place with San Miguel and Barangay Ginebra, who are both inactive.

With a 3-6 record, the Road Warriors sit in ninth place, half a game behind TNT (4-6).

Last December 22, NLEX defeated Blackwater 104-97 in their previous game to stay in the running for a quarterfinal berth.

The Road Warriors are under pressure to defeat the FiberXers since they still have a match on Saturday in Legazpi City against the twice-to-beat Barangay Ginebra.

The FiberXers want to go out on a good note after the elimination. After losing to Magnolia 88-80 on December 23, they fell to 1-8.

The Scores

Phoenix 93 –  Perkins 22, Williams 19, Tio 15, Jazul 13, Tuffin 6, Mocon 5, Rivero 5, Alejandro 4, Manganti 2, Verano 2, Soyud 0, Garcia 0, Daves 0, Camacho 0.

Meralco 83 – Miller 19, Banchero 15, Newsome 13, Quinto 10, Black 8, Almazan 8, Hodge 5, Rios 5, Caram 0, Maliksi 0, Pascual 0, Bates 0.

Quarter scores: 31-19; 54-47; 78-66; 93-83.