HALFWAY through their elims campaigns, San Miguel Beer and Converge face off in a rematch of their quarterfinals showdown last conference, with the Beermen out to sustain their searing drive and keep their lofty perch atop the leaderboard.

The FiberXers are just a game behind with their own bristling run snapped just in their last outing against the TNT Tropang Giga.

Thus, San Miguel, at 5-0, and Converge, at 4-1, clash in what could well be an explosive showdown in the PBA Governors Cup saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

They were a pairing in the recent Commissioner’s Cup quarters, with the Beermen beating the FiberXers two in a row before taking the exit in a shattering loss to the Bay Area Dragons in the Final Four.

In their 6:45 p.m. grudge match, the Beermen ride the momentum of a perfect five-game run under coach Jorge Gallent while the FiberXers eye a bounceback from a 128-122 beating by the Tropang Giga.

A win by the Beermen will send them closer to an early playoffs entry while a triumph for the FiberXers will force a tie between the two teams at 5-1.

Drawing a 28-point, 12-rebound outing from Cameron Clark, the Beermen claimed a fifth victim in the tourney in Meralco, 94-86, Thursday.

CJ Perez, with 19 markers, including six in the payoff period, Jericho Cruz, with 13, and June Mar Fajardo, with 11 and 14, did their share as the Beermen continued their strong start.

“It’s all the work of the players. They’re really doing a good job offensively and defensively,” said Gallent.

Coach Aldin Ayo and his Converge squad, meanwhile, tasted a first loss in coming up short in a high-scoring duel versus TNT Wednesday.

TNT import Jalen Hudson and Converge’s Jamaal Franklin figured in a shootout, with the former firing away 56 points and the later 47.

Before the loss to TNT, Converge won its first four games against NorthPort (122-92), Terrafirma (130-115), Magnolia (111-109) and Rain or Shine (112-98).

And Gallent and his Beermen are convinced they can’t take the FiberXers for granted.