The quest for seats in the Final Four has just started with sister teams and two of last season’s winners San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra drawing the first blood on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Beermen, the defending titlist here, outlasted Talk ‘N Text Katropa, 80-78, while the Gin Kings, the Commissioner’s Cup champions, downed fellow San Miguel Corp. - franchise owned squad Magnolia Hotshots, 86-75, in a pair of low scoring matchups opening the quarterfinal round.