BARANGAY Ginebra’s bid for a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals was dealt with a major blow after their overtime loss to NLEX on Friday.
The Gin Kings saw a five-game winning streak come to an end after bowing to the Road Warriors, 120-117, despite holding the lead briefly in the fourth and overtime periods.
[READ: Frankie Lim: 'Itong Ginebra, pwede na maging Ginebra sa lakas']
Ginebra looked poised for a win after Justin Brownlee made a no-look, left-handed shot for a three-point play that put the Kings ahead, 113-111, capping a 10-3 blast.
But NLEX didn’t lose composure as Earl Clark hit a clutch 17-footer to send the game to extra time, where the Road Warriors eventually took the victory.
With the bitter defeat, Ginebra dropped to 7-3 to slipped down to fourth place, its chances of getting a twice-to-beat spot no longer entirely in its hands.
Ginebra missed the chance to take the No. 1 spot that would have happened with a sweep of its remaining games.
The Kings though can still take the twice-to-beat in the event they end up in a tie with Magnolia for second place. Ginebra will clinch the No. 2 spot due to a winner-over-the-other rule after it defeated Magnolia last October 23, 103-97.
The Hotshots though have the upper hand to get the incentive, as a sweep of their two remaining assignments will enable them to grab the twice-to-beat.
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