The power struggle for the “empty throne” gets hotter as four of the remaining eight teams begin their best-of-three quarterfinals series with nothing but getting the head start in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup playoffs in mind.
It’s a battle between the independent teams and tournament dark horses in Converge and Rain or Shine duel in the first offering while one of the best rivalries in modern PBA between Barangay Ginebra and Meralco rekindle the old fire in the main event at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, Feb. 5.
And judging by how tight the standings at the end of the eliminations, with the four teams only separated by only a game, the quarterfinals is being primed to be the most competitive and unpredictable the league has ever seen in recent years.
Tip-off of the clash between the third-seeded FiberXers (8-4) and the sixth-seeded Elasto Painters (7-5) is at 5 p.m. while the No.4 Kings (8-4) face off against the Bolts (7-5) at 7:30 p.m.
Both flying the banners of independent teams in a league dominated by squads under the two corporate umbrellas, ROS and Converge, is setting similarities and friendships aside as they aim to take Game 1 of their quarterfinals series.
ROS coach Yeng Guiao, for one, will be seeing old pals and familiar faces from the opposite bench but vowed to draw the line as soon as the opening buzzer sounds
Guiao, who was also a politician in Pampanga will be pitted against Converge deputy Dennis ‘Delta’ Pineda, current governor of the province and long time political ally.
“Actually, sobrang malapit ako kina Delta tsaka kina Dennis Uy. Pero ibang usapan ito eh,” said Guiao whose ROS lost to Converge, 96-103, in their one elimination meeting.
“Parang pamilya sila, pero pagdating sa ganito, siyempre mauuna muna ‘yung interes ng Rain or Shine. Laban-laban talaga ‘to,” he added.
The task for Guiao, though, is to contain FiberXers three-headed backcourt combo of Alec Stockton, Jordan Heading and Schonny Winston while also being wary of import Cheick Diallo, Justine Baltazar and even Justin Arana, if he is fit enough to suit up.
ROS isn’t lacking in firepower though with guys like Anton Asistio, Andrei Caracut, Leonard Santillan and Adrian Nocum along with import Deon Thompson all capable of putting up great numbers.
Meanwhile, the Bolts and the Kings are opening a new page to their storied rivalry. It will now be a third-straight conference where the two squads meet in the playoffs.
Meralco drew first blood with a 4-3 series win in the semifinals of last season’ Philippine Cup while Ginebra exacted revenge with a sweet 3-0 sweep in the quarterfinals of the last conference.
Even in their lone match in the elimination was not lacking of thrill with the Kings fending off a late fightback from the Bolts to take 91-87 win.
Meralco import Akil Mitchell did not play in the contest while Ginebra rested most of its starters in the second of that game, giving the quarterfinals clash a lot more reason to be watched out.
