The seedings for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals are starting to finally makes sense after Wednesday’s twin bill at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Here’s what happened:
NLEX Routs Eastern, Assured of KO for Eighth Spot
Mike Watkins took command this time for the NLEX Road Warriors, dropping a huge double-double to power his team to a 94-76 triumph over Hong Kong Eastern.
Watkins finished with 41 points and 14 rebounds as he led the way in the second half with Robert Bolick slowed down by an ankle injury. Bolick would ultimately shake it off to add 21 points and 8 assists. Jayvee Mocon and Jonel Policarpio fired 9 apiece.
Chris McLaughlin had 18 points and 17 rebounds for Eastern, who were down by just one, 43-42, at halftime. Hayden Blankley and Glen Yang chipped in 14 and 12 markers, respectively.
The win assures NLEX of at least a playoff for the eighth spot, potentially against the Magnolia Hotshots if they prevail over the Meralco Bolts on Friday. The Road Warriors can even clinch the seventh spot in the event Magnolia wins and the TNT Tropang Giga beats the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. NLEX’s win has also eliminated the San Miguel Beermen from the playoffs—the first time it has happened since the 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
The scores:
NLEX (94) – Watkins 41, Bolick 21, Mocon 9, Policarpio 9, Herndon 6, Torres 5, Ramirez 3, Alas 0, Semerad 0
Eastern (76) – McLaughlin 18, Blankley 14, Yang 12, Lam 11, Cao 5, Cheuung 5, Chan 4, Guincahrd 3, Pok 2, Leung 2
Up next:
NLEX (TBD)
Eastern (TBD)
Ginebra Turns Back Meralco, Sets Up Quarters Duel with Nemesis
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel leaned on a strong third quarter to turn back rival Meralco Bolts, 91-87, in what turned out to be a battle of the benches in the second half.
RJ Abarrientos fired a game-high 17 points, including six clutch free throws down the stretch to help Ginebra repulse a spirited Meralco comeback in the fourth led by CJ Cansino (15 points), Aaron Black (11), and Brandon Rios (5).
Justin Brownlee added 15, while Stephen Holt and Troy Rosario chipped in 13 mostly in the first three quarters as Tim Cone gave his bench extended minutes. Luigi Trillo did the same with his Bolts, keeping Chris Newsome, Cliff Hodge, and Bong Quinto on the bench in the fourth. Meralco also didn’t play import Akil Mitchell reportedly due to an aching back.
The two teams are headed for quarters showdown as the fourth and fifth seeds.
Up next:
Ginebra vs. Meralco (TBD)
The Scores:
Ginebra (91) – Abarrientos 17, Brownlee 15, Rosario 13, Holt 13, Malonzo 9, Pessumal 7, Ahanmisi 6, J. Aguilar 4, R. Aguilar 2, Pinto 2, Thompson 2, Tenorio 1, Cu 0, Mariano 0
Meralco (87) – Cansino 15, Almazan 13, Black 11, Hodge 9, Newsome 9, Quinto 8, Rios 5, Torres 5, Pasaol 4, Banchero 4, Bates 4, Reyson 0
PBA Commissioner’s Cup: The Elims End
The PBA Commissioner’s Cup elimination round will conclude on Friday with Magnolia taking on Meralco in the first game and the TNT Tropang Giga facing off with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. Meralco, regardless of the result, will play Ginebra in a four vs. five matchup. Magnolia needs to win to at least be in the running for the eighth slot via a KO game.
Rain or Shine needs a win as well as a loss will lead to a triple tie between the Elasto Painters, Hotshots, and Road Warriors at 6-6. Rain or Shine will be eliminated in this case due to an inferior quotient. TNT, meanwhile, is assured of the second seed already regardless of what happens against the Elasto Painters.
