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As it stands, NorthPort is currently bumping everyone else in the race for the top seed, but a drop to as low as the third seed is still possible. PBA Images (file photo) |
MANILA--According to PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon, out of the 16 remaining scenarios in the Commissioner's Cup eliminations, there is an 87.5 percent likelihood that NorthPort will be assured of a Top 2 spot in the quarterfinals, and it is also very likely that the team will be the top seed with a three-in-four shot.
However, 75 and 87.5 percent are not equal to 100, so there is still a chance, albeit a fat one, that the Batang Pier could actually miss the Top 2 and fall to the best-of-three zone.
First, the chances they will fall to at most the second seed.
Essentially, the only way NorthPort will be taken out of first place is if Meralco, which drubbed them, 111-94, wins its remaining two games against Ginebra and Magnolia.
The Batang Pier can only hope that the Bolts drop at least one of the remaining two to stay on top.
Things could get more interesting if TNT also wins its Friday night game against Rain Or Shine.
This could create a three-way tie between the Tropang Giga, Batang Pier, and Bolts for the top spot at 9-3.
Anchored by its blowout win over NorthPort, Meralco, with a plus-15 point differential and 1.0769 quotients, gets the first tiebreaker and the top seed.
Despite losing to the Batang Pier 100-95, the Tropang Giga will be the second seed with a minus-3 point differential and 0.9849 quotients.
NorthPort, with a minus-12 point differential and 0.9417 quotients, will be the third seed, but it will miss out on the one-win quarterfinal incentive.
Interestingly enough, the case where Meralco beats Ginebra will drop the latter to the sixth seed, so if the Bolts also beat the Hotshots and the Tropang Giga take down the Elasto Painters, we might see the Batang Pier and Gin Kings face off in one best-of-three quarterfinal ties.
But then again, only one Meralco loss and NorthPort will be the top seed for sure.
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