Sep 20, 2021

Wild race up for remaining quarterfinals berths

IT'S going to be a wild-and-wooly race for the final quarterfinals berth of the PBA Philippine Cup.

Defending champion Barangay Ginebra is in the mix of things, and so are three other teams in Alaska, Phoenix, and Terrafirma.

Both the Fuel Masters and Dyip already wrapped up their elimination round campaign, both with similar 4-7 records, but remains on a standby mode in case there should be a playoff for the last quarterfinals berth.

A four-way tie at no. 8 is actually possible should the 4-6 Kings lost their final game against Meralco Bolts and the 3-6 Alaska Aces split their remaining two outings opposite San Miguel Beer and NorthPort.

Per PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III, if a four-way tie does occur among Ginebra, Alaska, Terrafirma, and Phoenix, the Kings and Aces will be eliminated, leaving the Fuel Masters and Dyip battling each other in a playoff for the last quarterfinals berth.

Sponsored content:
But if either Ginebra and Alaska, or both, get to sweep their remaining games, the playoffs door will be shut on Phoenix and Terrafirma.

The two scenarios are just many of the possibilities that could happen entering the final stretch of the eliminations this week.

So far, already assured of advancing in the next round are top seed TnT Tropang Giga, Meralco, Magnolia, San Miguel Beer, and Rain or Shine.

NLEX and NorthPort are contesting the nos. sixth and seventh slots by virtue of better records both with 5-5, compared to the other teams at the bottom end of the standings.

Only Blackwater has been out of the running for the playoffs after losing all of its 11 games in the elims. (RG)

Sponsored content: