THE elimination round of the PBA 50th Season Commissioner's Cup concludes on Sunday with a doubleheader that will determine the final seedings and match-ups for the quarterfinals.
SCENARIOS: Manila Clasico and all possible quarterfinals pairings after today
The Mall of Asia Arena is expected to be packed with Barangay Ginebra facing off against Bol Bol and TNT, but the first game is equally exciting with Meralco and Magnolia squaring off.
Here is a preview.
MERALCO VS. MAGNOLIA
When: Sunday, May 10. 5:15 p.m.
Where: SM Mall of Asia Arena
Meralco goes for No. 2
Meralco battles Magnolia with a win giving the Bolts a chance at the No. 2 seed after tonight's games. The Bolts hold an 8-3 win-loss record after their 113-69 win over Terrafirma last Friday.
Magnolia eyes No. 5, avoid No. 8
A win by Magnolia will take the Hotshots as high as No. 5 and a possible quarterfinal match-up against Barangay Ginebra. The Hotshots were coming off a huge 106-94 victory over TNT last Tuesday to make the No. 5 possible. A loss, however, could still send Magnolia down to No. 8.
Defensive battle
The match-up between Magnolia and Meralco will be a battle between two teams which take pride in their defense. The Hotshots are actually the team that gives up the least amount of points in the league with an average of 96.2 per game. The Bolts are in close third with an average of 99.5.
Much-needed rest for Bolts
With the game already out of hand early, Meralco had a chance to stretch its rotation and rest their starters including import Marvin Jones, who only played for 13 minutes against Terrafirma. The Bolts only had a day to prepare against Magnolia.
BARANGAY GINEBRA VS. TNT
When: Sunday, May 10. 7:30 p.m.
Where: SM Mall of Asia Arena
Rematch of last season's finals
TNT and Barangay Ginebra square off on Sunday for the first time in a Commissioner's Cup game since their March 28, 2025 showdown where the Tropang 5G defeated the Gin Kings in overtime, 87-83, in Game 7 of the Season 49 Finals. For Sunday's game, seedings will be at stake.
Barangay Ginebra goes for No. 2
Barangay Ginebra will try to book the No. 2 seed with a win, and a quarterfinal match-up against either Magnolia or Phoenix. The Gin Kings beat Rain or Shine, 114-90, for an 8-3 win-loss record and a crack at the second seed.
TNT eyes No. 5, avoid No. 8
A win by TNT will push the Tropang 5G to as high as No. 5, where a quarterfinal showdown with Barangay Ginebra is possible. But a loss could drop TNT to No. 8 and a meeting with top-seed NLEX in the playoff round. The Tropang 5G will look to bounce back from their 106-94 defeat against Magnolia.
Local support needed again
TNT's loss to Magnolia saw Bol Bol dominating with 53 points on 23-of-40 from the field. The Tropang 5G only had one player in double digits in scoring in Calvin Oftana, who shot 7-of-17 on his way to producing 18 points. TNT might again need the presence of the others to lessen Bol's workload a bit.
Who will guard Bol Bol?
Ginebra's bigs will be busy on Sunday as it tries to match-up against Bol Bol. Japeth Aguilar is still in doubt as of posting time after a long layoff due to a condition in his lung. It will be up to Troy Rosario, Isaac Go, Kemark Carino, and Norbert Torres to defend Bol.
Shooting the lights out
Ginebra dominated Rain or Shine after a great shooting display by making 21 threes, two shy of the record. The Gins have become a three-point shooting team, which the Tropang 5G must watch out in their game.
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