A seven-way tie for second place looms heading into the final two playdates of the PBA Philippine Cup bubble.
Depending on the result of the remaining games of the season, TNT, Phoenix Super LPG, San Miguel, Alaska, Rain or Shine, Meralco, and Magnolia could end up at 7-4 at the end of the elimination round.
That would happen if TNT drops its match against Rain or Shine on Tuesday and the Elastopainters defeat Phoenix Super LPG on Wednesday, and the rest of the teams involved win their respective matches.
Ginebra has already secured the No. 1 seed and the first twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals, leaving the other teams battling for the remaining three incentives.
So how would the seedings pan out if there’s a tie for second place?
PBA rules state that ties will be broken via the quotient system except when the deadlock is for the eighth seed.
To simplify, a look at the points differential, which is one of the basis for the quotient, from all the matches of the seven teams shows that TNT, Phoenix Super LPG, and San Miguel are on track for the twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals with their +46, +5, and -3 point differential respectively.
Alaska is in fifth with -6, Rain or Shine is in sixth with -12, Meralco is in seventh with -14, and Magnolia at eighth with -16.
The point differential will still change depending on the results of the TNT-Rain or Shine and Phoenix Super LPG-Rain or Shine games, meaning every point counts in the match-up.
Of course, TNT and Phoenix Super LPG only need to win their remaining match to avoid any complications as they will jump to 8-3.
One thing is for sure, it’s going to be a thrilling race for the quarterfinal berths.
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