WHETHER they make it to the playoffs outright or do it the hard way will be known today in a pair of matches ending the PBA Governors Cup’s eliminations at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Meralco takes on Phoenix Super LPG while TNT tackles streaking NorthPort, with the results helping determine the official makeup and ranking of the eight-team quarterfinals.
Notwithstanding a shock 100-101 loss to Blackwater last Wednesday, Magnolia retained top spot and the No. 2 seed while NLEX also has a lock on the second spot.
The other slots in the last eight remain up for grabs.
A fifth straight win by TNT will not only lodge it in third but also cut short NorthPort’s own five-game winning streak and drop the Batang Pier to ninth and out of the playoffs picture.
NorthPort needs to win to automatically nab eighth or at least play off for the last quarterfinals ticket.
The key for his team, according to TNT coach Chot Reyes, is finding ways to stop NorthPort’s main offensive weapons in Jamel Artis, Robert Bolick, Arwind Santos and Jamie Malonzo.
“All those guys are buckets,” Reyes said after the Tropa’s 127-107 win over Terrafirma last Wednesday.
“In terms of approach, it has to be a defensive approach,” added Reyes. “It has to be a defensive mindset. We have to find a way to stop NorthPort’s offensive juggernaut.”
Also with repercussions to the rest of the standings is the opener, which Phoenix coach Topex Robinson believes would be of great help to his side moving forward.
“We’re excited for the opportunity to learn and grow,” Robinson said. “Meralco is a championship-caliber team and we want to test how far we’ve come as a team.”
Left unsaid by Robinson is the fact the Fuel Masters will also benefit from more playoff games and they would have those with a No. 6 slot attained by not only them but also the Tropa winning.
A loss will drop Phoenix into ninth or, at most, having to play off for the last quarterfinals berth.
Meralco’s goal is definitely higher since a win would boost it to as high as No. 4 and the last twice-to-beat advantage in the next round.
A fourth straight loss, however, would dump the Bolts to no higher than sixth, quite a letdown for the same team that started the season-ending conference at 4-0.
