CROWD favorite Barangay Ginebra guns for its sixth straight win and a share of second place with idle Magnolia when it takes on NLEX in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

The Kings, who have won their last five games since a 103-97 decision over Magnolia last Oct. 23, need another victory to boost their chances for a Tmtop two finish and a twice-to-beat bonus in the quarterfinal round.

A win over NLEX in their 5:45 p.m. encounter will put Ginebra in a two-way tie for second place with Magnolia at 8-2 with still two games left.

After NLEX, Ginebra will meet NerthPort on Nov. 27 and Converge on Nov. 30.

Magnolia, on the other hand, will battle Meralco on Nov. 27 and Rain or Shine on Dec. 2.

Victories by both Ginebra and Magnolia in their remaining assignments will create a three-way tie for the top spot with the Bay Area Dragons, who finished with a 10-2 record.

The Dragons, however, are already assured of a top two finish in the eliminations and a twice-to-beat advantage over a lower-ranked foe in the eight-team quarterfinals.

At 3-7, NLEX faces the difficult situation of needing to sweep its last two games against Ginebra and Meralco and hope to make it to the playoffs via the backdoor.

Also with the same predicament are Rain or Shine (4-6) and Blackwater (3-8), which will meet in the 3 p.m. curtainraiser.

Last Wednesday, San Miguel Beer posted a crucial victory in the tight race for the remaining quarterfinal round berths as it demolished the Lester Prosper-less Terrafirma, 131-103.

Jericho Cruz finished with 25 points, Devon Scott added a triple double of 21 points, 19 rebounds and 11 assists and comebacking June Mar Fajardo contributed 20 points and nine rebounds as the Beermen climbed to sixth spot with their fifth win against the same number of losses.

A win over TNT and Meralco in their last two outings will send the Beermen to a best-of-three position in the quarterfinals against either the No. 3 or No. .4 squad.

Prosper, who finished with a career-high 50 points and 19 rebounds in Terrafirma’s 124-114 overtime victory over NLEX last Nov. 18, missed the game against San Miguel due to health and safety protocols..

Meanwhile, TNT Tropang Giga guard Jayson Castro will no longer play in the team’s final elimination round game against San Miguel.

TNT coach Chot Reyes said Castro suffered what he termed as severe sprained ankle.

“Wala na yun. I don’t think he can be back for the conference,” said Reyes after TNT’s 108-140 setback to the Bay Area Dragons at the Philsports Arena last Wednesday.

The 36-year-old Castro suffered the injury in the Tropang Giga’s 89-85 loss against Barangay Ginebra in their game last Nov. 20.

At 4-7, TNT is in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since the 2018 Governors Cup.

Games Friday:

(Philsports Arena)
3 p.m. — Blackwater vs. Rain or Shine
5:45 p.m. — Ginebra vs, NLEX