MANILA, Philippines — Final playoff seeding will be at stake as Barangay Ginebra clashes with TNT, while Meralco and Magnolia collide at the close of the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup elimination round on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Gin Kings face off with the Tropang 5G at 7:30 p.m., following the 5:15 p.m. collision between the Bolts and the Hotshots.
Ginebra enters the match carrying a similar 8-3 record with Meralco.
The Gin Kings will clashing with the Bol Bol-led Tropang 5G, who will use their final game in the elims to clean up their offense and defense in preparation for the playoffs.
NLEX already sealed the no. 1 seed with its 10-2 record, while Rain or Shine is at second spot with its 9-3 card, ending the elims with a 142-131 demolition of Titan Ultra.
A three-way logjam among Meralco, Ginebra and ROS at 9-3 will give the Bolts the second seed by virtue of their +14 quotient. The Gin Kings’ hold a +3 and the Elasto Painters’ -17.
Nonetheless, the top 4 teams will enjoy the twice-to-beat in the quarterfinal round.
Ginebra is coming off a weeklong respite and will enter the game refreshed and revitalized.
Veteran slotman Japeth Aguilar could possibly see action, depending on how he has responded in practice, but could very well use the game against TNT to get his wind back in time for the playoffs if ever.
The 6-9 Aguilar missed the Gin Kings’ mast three games since sustaining a bad fall after an accidental collision with hulking import Robert Upshaw in their game against Blackwater.
Ginebra coach Tim Cone admitted that playing against the 7-3 Bol will pose a unique defensive challenge.
“It’s gonna be an interesting matchup because of the unique challenges with Bol,” said Cone.
“He’s got a good group around him. It’s not that it’s a one-man show but we have to find a balance in trying to defend him,” explained the Ginebra mentor.
