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Quotients might still matter in race for top seed

Ginebra and San Miguel have a chance to steal the top seed away from TNT, but they have to win first. PBA Images (file photo)
By Ivan Saldajeno

WHILE they're already assured of a twice-to-beat advantage in the PBA Governors' Cup quarterfinals, TNT, Ginebra, and San Miguel would still want to end the elimination round at number one.

Although eighth-seeded Phoenix could still pose a threat to the three squads especially since it has something to prove amidst the renewed uncertainty regarding its future in the league, taking the top seed often leads to a relatively smooth ride to at least the semifinals.

Here's where Friday's doubleheader would come into play.

The Beermen will face the Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters in the first game, while the Tropang Giga and the Gin Kings clash in the second game in what could be the ultimate decider on who will finish first.

Four scenarios are still in play, but here are what TNT, Ginebra, and SMB would need and even avoid too if they want to clinch the top seed.

1. A win gives TNT the top seed outright.

The Tropang Giga's objective is very simple: just beat the Gin Kings.

Currently holding the best record in this conference at 9-1, a win will simply give TNT the top seed without needing to check out the quotients.

2. A loss falls Ginebra to the third seed.

Obviously a corollary to imperative number one, a defeat means the Gin Kings will have to settle for the third seed and a quarterfinal date with the NLEX Road Warriors.

Take note, however, that Ginebra only won by three points against NLEX on Feb. 8, and until its loss to SMB on Wednesday night, NLEX was in the running as well for the Top 4 finish.

To keep it short, don't count the Road Warriors out just yet.

Another direct result of this is that the Beermen will take the second seed regardless of how they will fare against the Elasto Painters since they own the winner-over-the-other advantage against the Gin Kings even if they end up tied at 8-3.

SMB will face seventh-seeded Converge in the quarterfinals if this scenario holds, but the latter actually beat the former in their Feb. 11 meeting.

Important to note, however, that Jamaal Franklin was the FiberXers' import back then, and he has been reportedly replaced already by Tom Vodanovich.

While unpredictability could still be in play here, a totally different story in the SMB-Converge rematch is now very imminent.

What if SMB wins?

Things, however, could get tricky if the Beermen defeat the Elasto Painters because the former could still actually finish at number one.

But that would depend on how Ginebra will take down TNT, which is the only way for SMB to hope to get the top seed.

The quotients so far: TNT is at plus-2, SMB is at plus-1, and Ginebra is at minus-3.

As aforementioned above, the Beermen hold the WOTO edge over the Gin Kings, but also, the Tropang Giga have the WOTO rule favoring them over the Beermen.

Basically speaking, the most optimal way for Ginebra to seal the top seed is by beating TNT by five or more points.

If the Gin Kings win by only 2-4 points, the Beermen take the top seed, but if the winning margin is only one, the Tropang Giga will keep the top seed.

If ROS stuns SMB and Ginebra beats TNT, SMB falls to the third seed, Ginebra is the top seed, and TNT is the second seed.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno

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