PHOENIX Super LPG and Meralco clash in a virtual battle for a coveted spot in the next round in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Fuel Masters and the Bolts, who are tied for the second to third places with identical 7-2 win-loss records, dispute a sure seat in the FinaFour — and a twice-to-beat advantage in the eight-team quarterfinal round.

Game time is 4 p.m.

With Magnolia Chicken Timplados finishing with a 9-2 slate following a loss to Meralco last Saturday, either the Bolts or Fuel Masters could still emerge as eliminations topnotcher should they sweep their last two games.

Meralco coach Luigi Trillo, however, noted that the Bolts could still miss out on a top four slot to either onrushing San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra, which hold similar 7-3 marks.

“Sa tingin ko, pwede pang maging five-way tie iyan (for the top four). Parang tingin ko, Ginebra and San Miguel, the way they’re playing, may momentum na,” said Trillo on the eve of the cucual encounter with Phoenix..

“Ang problema namin, kapag natalo kami sa Phoenix, kahit manalo kami sa Terrafirma (on Friday) at manalo ‘yung Phoenix sa TNT (at the end of elims on Sunday), baka maging fifth place pa kami” explasined Trillo.

“Basehan ko d’yan, kami ng Phoenix naglalabanan para sa top four. Quotient kasi pangatlo kami, sunod ‘yung Phoenix.”

Even Phoenix coach Jamike Jarin knows the importanxe of their game against Meralco.

“Very crucial for both teams,. As far as I know, whichever wins gets the twice-to-beat advantage, top four, so talagang we have to prepare and be ready for them.”

Jarin is wary that his team has not seen action since Christmas Day, when it lost to San Miguel, 96-117.

“Hopefully, we’re not rusty. That would be interesting to see, how we start,”said Jarin. “We had a break and then active rest, pero iba pa rin kasi when you’re playing so that’s going to be one of the things we have to be aware of,” added Jarin.

The long break also gave Raul Soyud enough time to recover from injury and Jason Perkins from an illness that forced him out of Phoenix’s last two games.

“We have a full lineup going to the game and that’s good kasi Meralco is well-coached and rebounding team.”