A matchup between heavyweights coming off losses will be the top billing of the doubleheader at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium this Friday, as the TNT Tropang 5G and the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots share the court for an important game with potential playoff repercussions.

Catch this game live on Friday,  June 13, 2025 at 7:30 pm, Manila time.

TNT Tropang 5G (6-4)

Projected Starting Five:

• Simon Enciso
• RR Pogoy
• Calvin Oftana
• JP Erram
• Kelly Williams

The Tropang 5G just got their chances to secure a twice-to-beat ticket in the quarterfinals poured with cold water in their 97-78 loss to the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel last Sunday. That defeat was also TNT’s first in seven games. The good news for TNT is that it’s already secured a seat in the playoffs and that the team is still technically in the running for a twice-to-beat advantage. 

While it’s no longer all in their hands, the Tropang 5G need to defeat Magnolia to stay in the hunt. In other words, look for TNT to treat its meeting with the Chicken Timplados Hotshots like a true postseason matchup with something big on the line. Against Ginebra, TNT finally got to see Jordan Heading make his debut for the franchise, as he scored 10 points on 4-for-9 shooting off the bench. He’s a dangerous flamethrower of a weapon for a TNT squad that is leading the league with a 36.0 3-point shooting percentage.

Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots (7-3)

Projected Starting Five:

• Paul Lee
• Mark Barroca
• Jerom Lastimosa
• Zavier Lucero
• Ian Sangalang

One can say that the Chicken Timplados Hotshots are limping on their way to the playoffs. After racing to a 6-0 record to start the conference, Magnolia has gone just 1-4, with its only win during that stretch being against the NorthPort Batang Pier, who are already eliminated from title contention. 

Although it is still possible for Paul Lee and company to bag a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals, their focus right now is perhaps on simply making a statement win to regain their footing before the end of the elimination phase. Magnolia is coming off a 107-99 loss to the NLEX Road Warriors, but one positive takeaway for the Hotshots from that contest was the performance of Zav Lucero, who had 23 points and 12 rebounds. Ian Sangalang also had 21 points. Together, Lucero and Sangalang shot 19-for-27 from the field.

Picks

Spread: TNT Tropang 5G (+2.5)

Over/Under: Under (185.5)