RAIN or Shine boosted its bid for a Top 4 finish by turning back a solid challenge by Terrafirma, 94-85, in the PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday night at the Philsports Arena.
The win was the second straight for the Elasto Painters, who forged a two-way tie at the no. 4 spot with Barangay Ginebra at 6-3.
The Dyip suffered a ninth straight loss for a 1-9 slate.
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In the second game, Phoenix ended a four-game skid after defeating a free-falling Northport side, 118-107.
The Fuel Masters improved to a 3-7 record, while the Batang Pier fell to a 1-8 card following their eighth straight loss.
Here’s three key takeaways from Wednesday’s playdate at the league’s old Pasig venue.
1. TERRAFIRMA/TEAM BUYER ASSURED OF THE NO. 1 DRAFT PICK – regardless of whether it wins or loses its final game of the season – against Blackwater – the Dyip will still end up with the worst record of Season 49 which currently stands at 3-29. Whether the Terrafirma franchise stays or a new team buyer comes in, the top pick of Season 50 belongs to them. The No. 2 pick remains a fight between Phoenix and Blackwater depending on how the two teams end their respective campaigns in the season-ending meet. At the moment, the Bossing have a combined 9-21 win-loss slate for the season, while Phoenix carries a 7-25 record. Among the prospects that fans hope to see in the 2025 rookie pool are Quentin Millora-Brown, Mike Phillips, and Jason Brickman.
2. CLOSE FIGHT FOR THE TOP 4 FINISH – at least seven of the eight teams which already claimed berths in the playoffs all have a shot at finishing within the Top 4 for a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals. Magnolia and NLEX are currently tied at the top with 7-2 slates, followed by San Miguel (6-2), Barangay Ginebra and Rain or Shine at 6-3, TNT at 5-3, and Converge at 6-4. Defending champion Meralco is at eighth spot with a 6-5 slate and as per the scenario made by our very own Reuben Terrado, is unlikely to clinch a twice-to-beat incentive. The final six playdates of the elimination are going to be crucial to all quarterfinalists, with some of the games obviously having playoff complications such as the Rain or Shine vs. San Miguel in Cagayan de Oro this weekend, Ginebra vs. TNT and Ginebra vs. Rain or Shine, San Miguel vs. Converge, and TNT vs. Magnolia.
3. TWO MORE NO BEARING GAMES IN THE OFFING – perhaps the conference format has something to do with it as suddenly, a couple of no-bearing games featuring teams already out of contention have yet to be played. Wednesday night saw Phoenix battling Northport. On Sunday, Blackwater takes on Terrafirma, and on Friday (June 13), Phoenix takes on Blackwater. Northport even has two games in its calendar against playoff-bound teams in NLEX (June 11) and San Miguel (June 15).
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