TNT’s blowout loss to Barangay Ginebra on Sunday in the PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup dampened the Tropang 5G’s chances of clinching twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinal round.
The Tropang 5G were walloped by the Gin Kings, 97-78, and the 19-point defeat will have a major effect on their seeding, in the event of ties. But they still have a shot at a Top Four spot and the incentive that goes with it.
PBA SCENARIOS: Magnolia risks losing twice-to-beat incentive
However, a TNT win over Magnolia on Friday may not be enough to guarantee a twice-to-beat incentive for the grand slam-seeking Tropang 5G.
If Rain or Shine beats Ginebra and TNT does beat Magnolia, all four will end up in a tie for third place on 7-4 win-loss records.
But for the Tropang 5G to at least have a chance at a twice-to-beat advantage, TNT must win by a big margin over Magnolia on Friday, and Rain or Shine must beat Ginebra by a wide gap as well - both possible but unlikely.
Among the four teams, Ginebra has the highest points differential with +23 followed by Rain or Shine at +6. TNT has a -11 point differential, while Magnolia has -18.
The irony of TNT’s situation is that for it to claim the twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals, the Tropang 5G may need the help of Ginebra.
Chance for Tropang 5G
One such scenario, which will happen if TNT wins over Magnolia on Friday, and Ginebra defeats Rain or Shine on Sunday, and assuming that Converge will end with a 6-5 win-loss record, the Tropang 5G will claim the twice-to-beat.
That is because based on such results, Ginebra will move up to 8-3 and leave TNT and Magnolia in a deadlock for fourth place on 7-4 slates. But owing to a Tropang 5G win over the Hotshots, TNT will get the No. 4 spot via the tiebreak.
The scenario, thus, gives TNT a lifeline in its grand slam bid.
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