Tanduay stakes its unbeaten slate, its reputation and its claim as the best team in the league as it clashes with San Miguel Beer today in a game that could well serve as the preview of the championship in the Alaxan-PBA All Filipino Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
After beating their first six rivals with relative ease, the fancied Rhum Masters finally get the chance to flaunt their vaunted firepower and new-found defensive game against a team many believe has the talent and skills to prick the Lucio Tan franchise's growing bubble.
Expect a fullhouse crowd at the Big Dome when the keenly-awaited match is held beginning at 6:30 tonight with the Rhum Masters vowing all out to make the Beermen their seventh victim and resume their bid for a sweep of the first round of eliminations.
Sure, the Beermen proved something by coming back from a horrible loss in their opening game to Purefoods by racking up four straight wins, but that amazing fightback does not guarantee a sustained run, particularly against the Rhum Masters.
Tanduay goes into the game averaging 18.8-point wins over their rivals, victories it virtually sealed in the early goings except that of over Shell, which lost by seven, although the Zoom Masters didn't really threaten.
Comebacking Mobiline takes on Pop Cola in the 4:15 p.m. opener.
The Phone Pals, coming off back-to-back wins after dropping their first three assignments, and the 800s shoot for their third win in six games.