MAGNOLIA hopes to keep the solo lead and formalize its entry to the quarterfinal round, while San Miguel Beer seeks to keep its playoff hopes alive in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Game time is 5:45 p.m. with the Hotshots gunning for their eighth win in nine matches and a possible twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals and the Beermen looking for a win to boost their shaky standings at eighth place at 3-4.

Magnolia coach Chito Victolero knows beating San Miguel — and dangerous Bay Area Dragons on. Saturday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig — could very well determine if the Hotshots would finish No. 1 and claim a twice-to-beat bonus against the No 8 squad in the next round.

But Victolero also knows beatng San Miguel is easier said than done, especially with the Beermen eager to bounce back from a heartbreaking 96-97 setback to Barangay Ginebra last Nov. 6 also at the Big Dome.

San Miguel coach Leo Austria and his Beermen are also looking for a strong elims windup where they go through Magnolia, Phoenix Super LPG, Terrafirma, TNT and Meralco.

If they make it past the elims, the Beermen are hoping to get a fresh start with the possible return of MVP June Mar Fajardo and Terrence Romeo.

The 3 p.m. curtainraiser begtween TNT and Meralco also promises to be close and interesting.

The Tropang Giga (4-4) and the Bolts (3-5) are also expected to go all out for a victory in this highly-anticipated battle between sister teams from the MVP Group.

TNT is looking for a second straight win that would improve its record to 5-4 and keep it at seventh.

Meralco,on the other hand, gun for another victory that would pull it closer to inclusion among the eight teams advancing to the quarterfinals.

What makes a win so important for both TNT and Meralco is the tough stretch that they are in following their match.

After Meralco, the Tropang Giga will play Barangay Ginebra on Sunday and Bay Area and San Miguel Beer next week.

The Bolts will take on Magnolia next Sunday and NLEX on Nov. 30 before winding up the eliminations against SMB at the end of the eliminations on Dec. 2.

NLEX, 3-6, and Blackwater Bossing, 3-7, are also now standing on shaky grounds.

Only Terrafirma, which is still winless in nine outings, is already out of contention.

Games Wednesday:

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
3 p.m. — TNT vs. Meralco
5:45 p.m. — Magnolia vs. San Miguel