Hotshots target No. 4 vs skidding Fuel Masters

Games today (MOA Arena, Pasay City) 

4:15 p.m. – Alaska vs Blackwater

7 p.m. – Star vs Phoenix

MANILA, Philippines - Unbeaten Star aims to stretch its win run to four as it faces a skidding Phoenix side even as resurgent Blackwater tries to add to Alaska woes in the PBA Governors Cup at the MOA Arena in Pasay tonight.

Banking on Ian Sangalang’s late heroics, the Hotshots turned back the San Miguel Beermen, 104-98, last Aug. 4 to remain the only unbeaten team in the league’s season-ending conference. 

Meanwhile, Star coach Chito Victolero said Marc Pingris, who has returned to team practice after a long layoff due to a hip injury, will still need more time to get back to competitive form before he rejoins the team. 

“He (Pingris) has returned to practice but he will need more time to get his timing and rhythm back before he could play,” said Victolero, adding that he’s giving Pingris a week or two more for him to get back into game shape.

Though they’re coming off a long break, the Hotshots remain confident of their chances against the Fuel Masters, who have dropped their last four games after hurdling the first two.

Gametime is at 7 p.m.

The Elite, on the other hand, hope to ride the crest of their big 107-106 reversal over the NLEX Road Warriors last Friday as they take on the winless Aces at 4:15 p.m.

Roi Sumang dropped a career-high 32 points to power Blackwater to its second straight win after starting the conference with three straight defeats. 

But the Aces are also going all-out to finally snap a long winless spell that dates back to the Commissioner’s Cup although they will have to do it without top player Calvin Abueva.