MANILA, Philippines — Before hitting the PBA Governors’ Cup playoffs and exercising their twice-to-beat advantages, frontrunners TNT, San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra first settle their final seedings in today’s eliminations closer.
The pacesetting Tropang Giga (9-1) can clinch the No. 1 spot if they beat joint second-running Gin Kings (8-2) in the 5:45 p.m. marquee duel of streaking teams at the PhilSports Arena,
The defending champions, though, can derail TNT’s plan with a tying ninth win and surge ahead via tiebreak.
Co-second SMB can even make it a triple tie at the top at 9-2 by taking care of business against also-ran Rain or Shine (2-8) in their 3 p.m. tiff.
In case of a three-way logjam, quotients will be applied to finalize the 1, 2 and 3 positions. Currently, TNT holds a +2 quotient, SMB +11 and Ginebra -13.
“No. 1 or No. 2, it doesn’t really matter for me,” said Tropang Giga coach Jojo Lastimosa.
“It’s just nice to win over Ginebra but it’s still an eliminations game; even if we win, it doesn’t mean we’re going to go deep in the playoffs. It’s just one game, nagkataon lang na Ginebra but it’s going to be a nice game to watch and play in and I’m excited.”
If successful, TNT will enter the quarters riding on an eight-game streak. On the other hand, a Ginebra victory will give it a six-game momentum moving forward.