RAIN or Shine has been struggling of late, losing four of its last five games heading into its final match-up in the PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup.
Their slump could prove costly as the Elasto Painters can turn from a strong contender for a twice-to-beat spot to a team fighting for to stave off elimination.
Here's how
In one of the playoff scenarios, Rain or Shine could fall into a playoff for the No. 8 seed if it loses its final game to TNT, and NLEX and Magnolia win their respective match-up against Eastern and Meralco.
This scenario will force a tie for seventh place with a 6-6 win-loss mark among Rain or Shine, NLEX, and Magnolia. According to PBA rules, this tie for seventh will be broken through the quotient system with the team with the highest quotient taking the No. 7 seed and the bottom two squads with the lowest quotient battling for the No. 8.
If this deadlock occurs, NLEX will wind up with the No. 7 due to its superior 1.0383 quotient (+8 point difference) among the three teams, and more importantly, its place in the quarterfinals secure.
Magnolia-Rain or Shine playoff for No. 8
Magnolia, meanwhile, will end up playing in a knockout game for the No. 8 seed since it will have the second-best quotient at 1.0102 (+2 point difference).
In such a scenario, the Hotshots will be battling the struggling Elasto Painters for that final quarterfinal seed with their 0.9550 quotient (-10 point difference).
Rain or Shine got itself in this situation after it lost to NLEX, 122-110, just last Saturday, despite its 102-100 victory over Magnolia last December 18.
It is that same blowout defeat by Rain or Shine that got NLEX at No. 7 even with its 99-95 loss to Magnolia last December 20.
The Elasto Painters must win over the Tropang Giga on Friday, or hope for losses by the Road Warriors and the Hotshots to avoid this possibility.
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.
