FOLLOWING the outcome of the matches on Wednesday in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup, the road to the quarterfinals has become much clearer with only two games left to play in the elimination round.
On Thursday, Barangay Ginebra fights for dear life against Meralco in a 2 p.m. match that will be followed by the contest between NorthPort and Alaska at 4:35 p.m.
Wednesday saw Meralco defeat NLEX, 104-101, to seal its place in the top two - and the twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals, while San Miguel defeated Alaska, 101-100, ousting the Aces from playoff contention.
Heading into the final playdate, here’s what can happen for three teams after the games.
DO-OR-DIE FOR GINEBRA
After the results of the games on Wednesday, Ginebra simply needs to win over Meralco and it will advance to the quarterfinals as the eighth seed.
A loss, however, would be disastrous for the Gin Kings, especially if Alaska wins over NorthPort. In such a case, a four-way tie at 4-7 will ensure among Phoenix Super LPG, Terrafirma, Barangay Ginebra, and Alaska, with the Fuel Masters and the Dyip facing in a playoff for No. 8 spot, and the Gin Kings joining the Aces in the wayside.
If Ginebra loses, the Gin Kings can only hope Alaska loses as well to NorthPort to forge a three-way deadlock with Phoenix and Terrafirma. In such a scenario, the Gin Kings will play the Fuel Masters in a playoff for No. 8.
Jeff Cariaso and the Aces look to end the campaign on a bright note.
ALASKA PLAYS SPOILER'S ROLE
Out of the running after losing to San Miguel, the Aces can only play a spoilers’ role, as a win over NorthPort coupled with a Ginebra loss will force that four-way tie what will eliminated the Gin Kings from the quarterfinals. A win by Ginebra will also eliminate Phoenix and Terrafirma from contention.
NO. 5 OR 7 SEED FOR NORTHPORT?
The Batang Pier also have a lot to play for in the match against Alaska. If Ginebra wins against Meralco in the first game, NorthPort must beat Alaska in order to clinch a No. 5 spot and a place in a best-of-three quarterfinals, or risk being relegated to the seventh-seed and a twice-to-beat disadvantage with a defeat.
If Ginebra loses, the Batang Pier will either end up at No. 5 with a win over Alaska or No. 6 with a defeat.
MERALCO A LOCK AT NO. 2
The Bolts will end up at No. 2 regardless the result of the match against Ginebra.
WAIT AND SEE FOR NLEX
The Road Warriors are now on wait-and-see mode. NLEX can still go as high as No. 6 seed a three-way tie with a NorthPort loss and a Ginebra win by virtue of superior quotient. A Ginebra loss and NLEX will automatically end up at No. 7.
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