THE wild, wild race for the playoff berths heats up anew as four teams — San Miguel Beer, NorthPort, Phoenix Super LPG and Rain or Shine — continue their drive in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

San Miguel hopes to make it two wins in a row when it takes on dangerous NorthPort in a pivotal 5:45 p.m. encounter that could make or break their playoff drive.

The June Mar Fajardo-less Beermen won over NLEX Road Warriors, 124-116, last Oct. 23 and return to the playing court three days later against a Batang Pier team also desperately looking for a victory to keep their own hopes alive.

The Pido Jarencio-mentored Batang Pier, who are slightly better with an even 3-3 win-loss record, received a tremendous boost the other day when No. 2 draft pick Will Navarro finally signed a two- conference deal with the team.

Navarro, who played for both San Beda and Ateneo. initially entered into an agreement with a Korean ball club.

But he later changed his mind to honor his contract with Gilas Pilipinas and his obligation as a draftee in the PBA.

With Navarro around, the Batang Pier are expected to become an even better team.

The 3 p.m. first game will also see Phoenix and Rain or Shine, which are tied with NorthPort in the middle of the pack at 3-3, battle it out for better position.

A lot of attention will go to the Fuel Masters, who have won three straight games after a 0-3 start.

The Elasto Painters, however, pose a different challenge.

The Yeng Guiao-mentored E-Painters snapped out of a two-game slide with a 113-96 win over Meralco.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Robert Andaya