MANILA, Philippines – At the Philsports Arena attending Wednesday, the PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoffs got underway. MAGNOLIA Chicken Timplados as well as Phoenix Super LPG are competing to advance to the semifinals against opposing teams.

At 8:00 p.m., the Hotshots, the top seeds, take on TNT. following the Fuel Masters, who are ranked fourth, matchup with Meralco at 4 p.m.

Hotshots finished 9 to 2 in this last round, with Fuel Masters following closely at 8 to 3. Magnolia and Phoenix, on the other hand, have twice-to-beat positive aspects in the quarterfinals.

In the past six conferences, Magnolia will attempt to make it back to the semifinals.

Conversely, Phoenix aims to make it to the semifinals for the first time in their lives since the 2020 Philippine Cup bubble, during which Topex Robinson was still the head coach of the organization as well as Matthew Wright along with Calvin Abueva were still playing for the squad.

The remaining players from that Phoenix squad from four years ago include RR Garcia, Jason Perkins, and RJ Jazul.

Both sides, nevertheless, anticipate challenging games.

With the return of Roger Pogoy with Jayson Castro to the lineup, the Tropang Giga are beginning to regain health, while TNT is flourishing under new recruit Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson, according to Magnolia coach Chito Victolero.

In Wednesday’s matchup against Magnolia, TNT coach Jojo Lastimosa believed his team would be competitive.

Magnolia’s season-opening victory over TNT in the elimination round was 110 to 102.

Meralco, which only came in at No. 5 because of a lower quotient, is another subject that Phoenix mentor Jamike Jarin is wary of. With identical 8 to 3 records, Phoenix, San Miguel, Meralco, and Barangay Ginebra were tied in the end.

In other news: In preparation for the postseason, SMB activates Manuel and Magnolia calls Ahanmisi

In preparation for the upcoming PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoffs, MAGNOLIA and San Miguel have strengthened their already strong rosters, leaving nothing to chance.

The Hotshots placed Fil-Am David Murrell on the injured/reserve list and brought back shooting guard Jerrick Ahanmisi with two days remaining before the quarterfinals.

The Beermen added veteran center Vic Manuel as the fifteenth member on their active roster, showing that they weren’t to be outdone.

After going through arthroscopic knee surgery in November of last year, the 36-year-old Manuel was predicted to miss two months of action. He hasn’t played for San Miguel this season.

On the other hand, the seven-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez, Don Trollano, Terrence Romeo, Jericho Cruz, Mo Tautuaa, Jeron Teng, and the seasoned pair of Marcio Lassiter and Chris Ross make the Beermen an even more formidable group when the former Gilas Pilipinas power forward is expected to make a postseason comeback.

With Bennie Boatwright, an SMB immigrant who has replaced Ivan Aska and has an average of 38.5 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, your team is formidable to rival teams.

After a two-game head start, San Miguel will take on Rain or Shine, ranked seventh, in the quarterfinals.