ROS eyes 6-0 on Gabe Night

MANILA, Philippines —  Action’s sure to heat up as the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup swings by the SM MOA Arena today.

Spotless Rain or Shine seeks to extend its franchise-best start to six against dangerous Converge in a nostalgic gig dedicated to its former stalwart Gabe Norwood in the 5:15 p.m. opener.

Then Barangay Ginebra and Magnolia rekindle their “Manila Clasico” rivalry in the 7:30 p.m. mainer where former Gin Kings star LA Tenorio eyes a 2-0 record head to head since jumping over to the Hotshots’ top coaching post at the start of the golden season.

The stakes are high for all featured squads.

For ROS, chalking up a followup victory to its hard-earned 116-112 victory over San Miguel Wednesday night would get it closer to the playoffs.

Converge (1-4) is badly in need of a W to jump back into life after dropping its last four assignments.

“Ang kwenta namin is mga six wins or seven wins pasok ka na ng quarters. Naka-five wins na kami. Baka isang panalo na lang nasa quarters na kami. Pero para makasigurado siguro kailangan pitong panalo,” said ROS coach Yeng Guiao, whose team has less than 48 hours to transition from SMB to Converge.

“Iyun lang objective namin. We don’t even mind kung No. 1 ka or No. 2 ka sa standings. Importante lang makarating ka sa next round.”

Then there’s the added motivation of winning it for Norwood, whom ROS will fete with a jersey retirement at halftime.

“Ang history ng Rain or Shine would be parang Norwood Era at saka post-Norwood Era. Naging marker siya ng kwento ng franchise ng Rain or Shine. Appropriately, kailangan talagang bigyan siya ng recognition, honor and not just because he’s a great basketball player but because he’s a great human being,” said Guiao.

Sister teams but fierce rivals Ginebra (2-2) and Magnolia (2-3) need a victorious result to fan their respective bids.

Amid all the hoopla, Tenorio would rather channel Magnolia’s energy into the basics that would improve its chances.