Aguilar, Ginebra ready for Rain Or Shine challenge

Japeth Aguilar and Ginebra battles Rain Or Shine in a crucial elimination
tiff. Nuki Sabio/PBA (file photo)
By Ivan Saldajeno

Japeth Aguilar thinks the playoff format for the 2015 PBA Philippine Cup is an interesting one.

Speaking to Dugout Philippines, the high-flying Ginebra forward said, "Very interesting ang brackets ngayon."

In this edition of the PBA's much-anticipated All-Filipino conference, the top two teams after the single round-robin eliminations will automatically advance to the semifinals, while the next eight teams will enter a two-phase playoffs to determine the other two semifinalists.

In the first round, the third to sixth placed teams, who will own a twice-to-beat advantage, will take on the tenth to seventh placed teams respectively.

The winners in the first phase will move on to a knockout quarterfinals with the victor of the 3 vs. 10 game facing that of the 6 vs. 7 game and the 4 vs. 9 winner taking on the 5 vs. 8 winner.

However, the current playoff picture could become more interesting as his Barangay Ginebra San Miguel take on the Rain Or Shine Elastopainters in the nightcap of today's doubleheader at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Scheduled at 5:30 PM, the Gin Kings and the Elastopainters, who now both hold twice-to-beat advantages come the playoffs, will meet to achieve their respective goals.

For Rain Or Shine, a win will automatically bring the team to the semifinals and to avoid getting tangled in a three-way tie for second place.

On the other hand, Ginebra looks to seal the fifth spot at the end of its elimination campaign.

Aware of the Elastopainters' hot streak, however, Aguilar said that the Gin Kings are ready for what the Elastopainters could bring.

"Kung ano man ang maging schedule namin, kailangan ready kami," he said.

In the curtain-raiser at 3:00 PM, NLEX will try to move up a rank to have a chance to face a "beatable" opponent come the playoffs against Kia.