Phoenix goes for 6th victory vs NorthPort

MANILA, Philippines — Phoenix Pulse, stopped on its tracks by a loss in overtime to Rain Or Shine the last time out, resumes chase of a playoff berth as it tangles with NorthPort in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight.

Meralco and Columbian Dyip clash in the other match in the resumption of the all-Filipino tourney in a break that saw the league stars accomplish the country’s mission to qualify for the coming 2019 FIBA World Cup.

Coach Louie Alas and his Phoenix team are now on the cusp of a playoff entry in winning their first five games against Meralco, TNT KaTropa, Columbian Dyip, Blackwater and NLEX before dropping their match opposite ROS.

Odds are stacked on the Fuel Masters’ side. And Phoenix could only be the more favored team if Stanley Pringle and Moala Tautuaa are dealt with suspension in the aftermath of the brawl in the recent NorthPort-Columbian Dyip tuneup.

Also facing possible sanction is Columbian’s JayR Reyes for his involvement in the fracas.

PBA technical chief Eric Castro has informed the NorthPort and Columbian Dyip squads that league commissioner Willie Marcial is to probe the incident and may hand a decision before the matches.

Marcial was with the PBA board members in Kazakhstan when the incident happened. What they’ve got were sketchy reports on the matter, including involvement of Pringle and Tautuaa in the fracas that reportedly left JayR Reyes bloodied.

The Batang Pier would be minus two top guns should Pringle and Tautuaa draw suspension.