Tanduay Rhum seeks to move a win short of a guaranteed twice-to-beat privilege in the quarterfinals while Purefoods, Sta. Lucia Realty and San Miguel Beer attempt to clinch a slot in the quarters as they get back into action after joining the nation in observing the All Saints’ Day.
The Rhum Masters and the Hotdogs clash at 5:15 p.m., then the Realtors and the Beermen slug it out at 7:30.
Tanduay is riding the momentum of four straight wins but is likely to face an acid test versus the tall Purefoods squad.
Coach Alfrancis Chua put into good use the quickness of his players to offset the loss of their big men as they stunned Sta. Lucia, Shell, Ginebra and Pop Cola, thus boosting their bid for a vital place in the Top Four.
Despite a depleted lineup, Tanduay is tied with Alaska at third with similar 4-2 win-loss records, a full game in front of Purefoods, Sta. Lucia and San Miguel.
Suddenly slowing down after a strong start, Sta. Lucia, however, had made a crucial move, hiring Isaac Fontaine to replace Joe Temple in time for the team’s return to action today.
Sta. Lucia coach Norman Black bit the bullet after two losses, seeking an import replacement from Los Angeles-based player agent Mike Gonzalez, who quickly sent in Fontaine.
Fontaine, 25, played college ball at Washington State and had a two-season stint with the Connecticut Pride in the Continental Basketball Assocation (CBA).
Fontained is known as a pure shooter, averaging 15.8 points on 52-percent shooting and 2.4 rebounds in the past CBA campaign.