WATCH: Interview with Coach Tim Cone and Best Player Scottie Thompson [July 17, 2022]

The chase continues for NorthPort to salvage a playoff berth.

Checking a sudden slide, meanwhile, is the order of the day for Barangay Ginebra to seal a spot in the top six after missing a targeted top two finish.

The Batang Pier and the Gin Kings push their respective bids in another PBA Philippine Cup crucial setto Sunday to be marked by the return of coach Tim Cone in the Ginebra bench bringing with him wealth of knowledge gained in his stint with the Miami Heat in the NBA Summer League.

Tip-off is at 6:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Kings are at 6-3 upon Cone’s return, smarting from back-to-back losses and needing to snap out of the rut so as not to face the bleaker prospect of missing even the Top Six.

One win in their last two games will put a lock on Ginebra’s place in the best-of-three quarterfinals. However, a determined NorthPort squad will be on the other side, waging a fight for dear life at 3-6.

The Batang Pier, drawing tremendous boost from the returning Robert Bolick, gained some relief the last time in a 95-92 decision over the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters in a well-fought battle.