TNT and NLEX try anew on Sunday to make it to the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals worry-free as they take on rivals from the SMC group at the final playdate of the eliminations.
The Tropang Giga will take on the Magnolia Hotshots in the curtain raiser, while the Road Warriors face off with the no. 2 team Barangay Ginebra Kings in the main game of the doubleheader at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Only three quarterfinal berths are up for grabs after Meralco became the latest team to advance to the playoffs after San Miguel, Ginebra, Magnolia, and Rain or Shine.
TEAM STANDINGS
San Miguel 10-1
Barangay Ginebra 7-3
Magnolia 6-4
Rain or Shine 6-4
Meralco 6-5
NLEX 5-5
TNT 5-5
Terrafirma 5-6
NorthPort 5-6
Blackwater 4-7
Phoenix 3-10
Converge 2-9
A look on the final playing day of the Philippine Cup eliminations.
MAGNOLIA vs. TNT
When: May 5, 3 p.m.
Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Watch: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live
TNT PAYBACK?
The Tropang Giga certainly have blood in their eyes, especially in the wake of that 107-103 heartbreaker against also-ran Converge FiberXers which denied them an outright quarterfinals berth. Another loss meant going through a playoff to advance to the next round.
MAGNOLIA CAN’T AFFORD TO LOSE AS WELL
Although the Hotshots already secured a playoff ticket, a loss could be costly for them as they will likely fall through either no. 6 or at worst no. 7 in the quarterfinals. Being relegated at no. 7 will have Magnolia being at a twice-to-win disadvantage against Barangay Ginebra in the next round in an early ‘Manila Classico’ matchup.
WILL ABUEVA FINALLY PLAY?
Both Calvin Abueva and Chito Victolero expressed about the ‘Beast’ being a game-time decision against TNT. The veteran forward is nursing an aggravated hip injury that made him miss the team’s last two games against Meralco and Terrafirma.
BARANGAY GINEBRA vs. NLEX
When: May 5, 6:15 p.m.
Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Watch: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live
NLEX FACES SAME FATE AS TNT
The fate of the Road Warriors is similar to the Tropang Giga. Win and make an automatic entry to the quarterfinals. Lose and go through a playoff. The bad side of it is that NLEX will be going to the match on a four-game slide including a 120-104 beating at the hands of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters the last time.
NOTHING TO LOSE FOR KINGS
Win or lose, the outing against NLEX has no bearing for the Kings, who already secured the no. 2 spot and a twice-to-beat advantage over the weekend, thanks to the Elasto Painters’ win over the Road Warriors. But Ginebra would want to keep its winning streak going following a fourth straight victory at the expense of Converge in Cagayan De Oro City last week.
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