The penultimate play date of the PBA Governors’ Cup takes place later today at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. And, as was the case last Sunday, tonight’s twin bill will have significant playoff implications, as they would affect the final seedings heading into the quarterfinals.
What Tonight’s Game Means for NLEX
It’s real simple for the NLEX Road Warriors: Beat the San Miguel Beermen later tonight, and they’ll end up with the best record in the PBA Governors’ Cup and No. 1 seed in Group A at 10-2. That means a quarterfinal clash with the fourth seed in Group B, which could be Barangay Ginebra San Miguel as of this writing. Actually, NLEX could lose to San Miguel and still end up at No. 1—as long as it doesn’t lose by 15 points or more.
What Tonight’s Game Means for San Miguel
San Miguel can leapfrog NLEX for the top seed if it wins by 15 points or more. In that case, the Beermen jump to No. 1 by virtue of a superior point differential, since NLEX won the two teams’ previous encounter by 14 points, 110-96. As mentioned, being the top seed in Group A means meeting the fourth seed in Group B in the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals. Importantly for San Miguel, beating the Road Warriors would be a nice bounce-back after its crushing loss to the TNT Tropang 5G.
What Tonight’s Game Means for Magnolia
It’s real simple for the Magnolia Hotshots as well: Beat the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, and they’ll finish No. 1 in Group B with a 7-3 slate. The reward, however, isn’t exactly that appetizing, as it means a PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinal clash with an in-form and peaking TNT, with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson back on board. A loss, on the other hand, would send the Hotshots to No. 2 or even No. 3, depending on the winning margin and the result of Friday’s meeting between Rain or Shine and the Phoenix Fuel Masters.
What Tonight’s Game Means for Rain or Shine
A win tonight against Magnolia improves Rain or Shine’s record to 6-3—the best in Group B, at least provisionally. But, as the only team with two games left in the PBA Governors’ Cup , the Elasto Painters will still need to beat Phoenix to secure the No. 1 seed outright. A loss, meanwhile, puts the Elasto Painters in danger of dropping all the way to No. 3 if they also lose to the Fuel Masters on Friday by eight points or more.
