MERALCO is the earliest team to wrap up its elimination-round campaign in the PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup due to the Bolts' upcoming campaign in the Basketball Champions League Asia.
When they come back from that FIBA tournament, the Bolts will already have a good idea of their seeding and whether they would still be able to clinch a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
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However, Meralco, which is at eighth place and owns a 6-5 win-loss record, no longer hold its fate as far as seedings are concerned.
There are now four teams who also have six victories in their pocket in San Miguel, Barangay Ginebra, Rain or Shine, and Converge. TNT is also closing in with five wins.
Here is the team standings between the eight teams that already clinched a quarterfinal spot, as of Thursday, June 5
Standings
Magnolia 7-2
NLEX 7-2
San Miguel 6-2
Barangay Ginebra 6-3
Rain or Shine 6-3
TNT 5-3
Converge 6-4
Meralco 6-5
Scenarios
The best case scenario for Meralco in its bid for a twice-to-beat advantage is that none or only one of the teams mentioned surpass six victories – a situation that seems to be next to impossible.
For example, Saturday’s game will feature San Miguel and Rain or Shine to be played in Cagayan de Oro, meaning one of the teams would reach seven wins.
On June 11, the Beermen also have a game against Converge, a team that is also gunning for seven wins and a shot at a twice-to-beat advantage.
Barangay Ginebra will have two shots at making its seventh victory when it takes on TNT on Sunday and Rain or Shine on June 15.
Prior to the match against Barangay Ginebra on Sunday, TNT faces also-ran Blackwater on Friday, its first opportunity to reach six wins. The Tropang 5G will close the eliminations against Magnolia on June 13.
From the looks of it, the Bolts would need to play two knockout games in order to extend their conference and retain their championship.
Regardless, Meralco, being the defending champions, will certainly be a dangerous opponent come the playoffs.
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