FOUR teams, two quarterfinals bonuses on the line.
That’s what at stake in the final playdate of the PBA 50th Season Philippine Cup eliminations on Sunday, as Barangay Ginebra, Magnolia, TNT, and Titan Ultra all see action four days before Christmas.
Here’s a preview of what to expect in the double-header
TNT VS. MAGNOLIA
When: Dec. 21, 5:15 p.m.
Where: Smart Araneta Coliseum
This one is a game of playoff proportions, with TNT and Magnolia both eyeing a Top 4 finish for a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
Tenorio set for playing coach debut
With an injury-riddled backcourt, the Hotshots have turned to their rookie coach to be activated and become the first to assume the role as playing-coach after PBA legend Robert Jaworski Sr. for Ginebra.
READ: Tenorio all set to be playing coach for Magnolia vs TNT
Magnolia is tied with the Gin Kings at fifth-place with a 6-4 record, dropping in the standings after losing three of its last five games, including a 101-92 setback against Rain or Shine in Bahrain, where it also lost key players Jerom Lastimosa and Paul Lee to injuries.
The TNT game will be the first for the 41-year-old Tenorio in the last five months, having played his last competitive contest in a 100-93 Ginebra loss to San Miguel in Game 7 of the All-Filipino Cup semis last July 9.
Although Tenorio has been actively joining the Hotshots in their regular practice, it remains to be seen what impact he’ll be able to bring for the team’s bid for a quarterfinals bonus.
Yuki in first PBA game
Fresh off a championship stint with San Beda in NCAA Season 101, Andrada’s transition comes to fore, as he suits up for Magnolia for the first time.
READ: Yukien faces San Beda coach Yuri for Magnolia debut
The No. 6 overall pick in the last draft, expectations are certainly high on the younger brother of former PBA player Yutien Andrada, especially on the recent move made by management to trade forward Joseph Eriobu to Terrafirma and pave the way for his entry in the active roster as the Hotshots’ 15th player on the list.
TNT tries to avoid complications
The Tropang 5G are currently in solo third with a 7-3 record and a win would have them clinching the third twice-to-beat advantage, along with defending champion San Miguel and Rain or Shine.
But a loss is going to be damaging for TNT, as it could relegate the team to a tie with Magnolia and Converge at 7-4 – along with Ginebra should it win over Titan Ultra – and the quirk of the quotients coming in to break the tie.
GINEBRA VS. TITAN ULTRA
When: Dec. 21, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Smart Araneta Coliseum
Ginebra needs to win this one for the team to have a shot of making the Top 4 – coupled by a Magnolia win in the first game – against a Titan Ultra side that got eliminated courtesy of the Gin Kings’ 102-100 come-from-behind win against Rain or Shine in Bahrain.
Gin Kings on a roll
The league’s crowd darlings are on a four-game win run that allowed them to have a last-minute shot of vying for the last two twice-to-beat advantage.
From a 2-4 start, the Gin Kings are now at 6-4, a record enhanced by that comeback victory over the Elasto Painters that saw them wipe out an 11-point fourth quarter deficit.
The game against Titan Ultra incidentally will also see the debut of the Ginebra’s second round pick in the last draft in John Abis, a player of Perpetual coach Olsen Racela, who is also deputy mentor of Ginebra.
RJ’s star shining bright
In a fitting follow-up to his well-deserved Rookie of the Year honor, the sophomore guard has taken over the mantle of scoring for Ginebra, averaging 18.7 points in all of their past four wins, including 26 against the Elasto Painters, as he willed the Gin Kings back in that fourth quarter rally.
He currently leads Ginebra in scoring with 15.8 points along with 3.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists.
Titan eyeing payback against Ginebra
With a 4-6 standing, the Giant Risers fell short of making the playoffs in their first conference in the league, no thanks to the Gin Kings’ win over the Elasto Painters.
A Ginebra loss would have rendered the game against Titan Ultra a do-or-die match between the two teams for the eighth and last quarterfinals berth.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Calvin Abueva and the rest of the Giant Risers much more motivated to beat the Gin Kings and deny them a finish in the Top 4 of the standings.
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