By REYNALD MAGALLON
TNT and NLEX, two teams under the MVP Group, are in dire need of a victory as they battle Magnolia and Ginebra from the rival SMC umbrella on the final day of the eliminations of the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Sunday, May 5.
The Tropang Giga face off against the Hotshots in the first offering at 3 p.m. before the Road Warriors lock horns against the Kings in the nightcap at 6:15 p.m.
The last pair of games have major implications to the entire playoff picture with TNT and NLEX, both toting a similar 5-5 record, looking to formally clinch a spot to the quarterfinals by picking up its sixth win.
Both Magnolia (6-4) and Ginebra (7-3) already secured their places in the Magic 8 although the Hotshots couldn’t afford a loss, especially a big one as they could still fall to as low as the seventh spot.
The Kings, regardless of the result, are already a lock at the Top 2 seed along with the twice-to-beat advantage following the Road Warriors’s loss to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters last Friday.
Simply put, the games mean more to NLEX and TNT as a win for both of them would not only assure them a spot in the quarters but also allow them to avoid a twice-to-win disadvantage in the quarterfinals.
However, a loss could get things complicated, more so, disastrous for them as they could find themselves in tie with NorthPort and Terrafirma for the eighth spot with similar 5-7 records. Placing would be determined through the quotient system.
Moreover, a win by Meralco, also at 5-5, over San Miguel – a game that is being played at press time, would put more pressure on the two teams to win their last games.
For the Road Warriors, they could drop to as low as the eighth spot in their worst possible scenario – an event that would only happen if if the Bolts win against the Beermen and they lost against the Kings
In such a scenario, they will be pitted against the Batang Pier in a do-or-die for the last playoff spot. If Meralco loses, even if NLEX drops its last game, the lowest it could fall to is at sixth.
The Tropang Giga, on the other hand, seemed to be in a far better position. Even if they lose, most scenarios have them ending up at the sixth spot with the worst possible place being at seventh.
It is a scenario that could only happen if TNT loses and both NLEX and Meralco win their remaining games.
