RAIN or Shine and TNT, the No. 1-seeded teams in the PBA 49th Season Governors’ Cup playoffs, will be figuring in an early semifinal affair if they get there.
A kink in the tournament format showed that the winner of the quarterfinal showdown between Group A’s No. 1 against Group B’s No. 4 will be pitted against the winner of Group B’s No. 1 versus Group A’s No. 4.
That means that the Elasto Painters and the Tropang Giga are in line for a semifinal showdown despite being the top teams in their respective groups at the end of the eliminations.
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao confirmed the tournament format, which he admitted may have been an oversight by the league.
“Although it’s too late now kasi naka-plantsa na ‘yung format eh. But I think it was overlooked,” said Guiao when asked by reporters to confirm the playoff format after their 139-118 defeat over Blackwater.
“It’s a lesson na dapat siguro they should put more thought in the format. Alam natin bago ito pero ang tingin ko, it’s something that is basic. Madali mong makita ‘yung problema kung binibigyan mo lang siya ng extra thought. Pero wala na tayong magagawa, nandiyan na ‘yan."
Guiao admitted the two No. 1 teams, which could be anyone from the six others who made it to the playoffs, were put in a disadvantage by the tournament format.
“Sa akin naman, it could have been any team na parang although parang na-disincentivize mo ‘yung No. 1. Dapat kapag No. 1 ka, medyo ‘yung path mo to the finals is a little bit easier because you earned it na hindi nangyari ngayon,” said Guiao, who added he had already noticed the twist in the format way before Rain or Shine captured the No. 1 seed in the quarterfinal.
“Dapat pag-aralan nila Commissioner saan sila nagkamali at i-correct nila. Ngayon, wala na tayong magagawa. Mali na eh."
As things stand, it will be Rain or Shine battling Magnolia, while TNT will be going up against NLEX in a best-of-five quarterfinal series in their bracket.
On the other side, Meralco, the No. 2 seed in Group A, will be up against Barangay Ginebra, the No. 3 ranked squad in Group B, with the winner facing either San Miguel, Group B’s No. 2, or Converge, Group A’s No. 3.
READ: Brownlee-Durham IV now official as Ginebra faces Meralco in QFs
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
