PBA: Will a win be enough for NorthPort, Converge to make Top 2?

Which among NorthPort and Converge ends up in the Top 2? Or will there be one? PBA Images (file photo)
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--NorthPort and Converge are currently in a strong position to finish as the two best teams after the PBA Commissioner's Cup round-robin phase.

Finishing inside the Top 2 would earn them a once-to-win advantage in the quarterfinals.

At 8-3, the Batang Pier and FiberXers are in line to make the Top 2 with another win against the Blackwater Bossing and San Miguel Beermen, respectively.

The question is, "Will only a mere win suffice?"

Based on an unofficial quotient tally by Dugout Philippines, NorthPort and Converge are likely among the top six teams anyway, which means they dodge a once-to-beat disadvantage in the next round.

However, whether they end up in the Top 2 would still depend on how the teams with a mathematical shot at the quarterfinal bonus will fare in the final stretch of the elims.

Take note that Meralco, Hong Kong Eastern, and TNT, the three other teams with only three defeats so far, can also finish at 9-3 to force a five-way tie at the top of the standings.

Also, remember that the Bolts ripped the Batang Pier, 111-94, and the Long Lions drubbed the FiberXers, 117-106, which impacted the chances of both NorthPort and Converge.

In all fairness, the FiberXers beat the Bolts, 110-94, while the Batang Pier defeated the Long Lions, 120-113.

In the Tropang Giga's case, both their games against the Batang Pier and FiberXers were close ones which could not favor TNT more because Eastern ripped them, 105-84.

NorthPort also took down Converge, 108-101, to gain an upper hand if in case only one of them makes the Top 2.

A crazier situation could take place if Ginebra and Rain Or Shine win their remaining games.

If the Gin Kings beat the Bolts and the Elasto Painters stun the Tropang Giga, a seven-way tie at 8-4 could be possible.

And we are talking about 21 games to look at just to determine which makes the Top 2, which teams will play in two best-of-three series, and which team will drop to the dreaded quarterfinal disadvantage.

One factor to consider: both NorthPort and Converge beat Ginebra, albeit by margins considered as close.

However, take note too that the Batang Pier lost by 20 points to the Elasto Painters, who ironically dropped a 28-point defeat to the Gin Kings on Wednesday night.

Converge won one too over ROS.

From this, it is safe to assume that NorthPort needs to beat Blackwater to avoid the complications that could be brought about by its loss to ROS pending the final quotients.

The Batang Pier might also hope for the Gin Kings to beat the Bolts to take another blowout loss out of the equation.

For Converge, they must beat SMB on Friday night and probably hope for Eastern to lose at least one more to gain a better position for the Top 2.

The problem for the FiberXers: Justin Arana, who would have easily been the primary guard for June Mar Fajardo, might sit out due to a knee injury he got against the Bossing.

To summarize, a win will make the Batang Pier and FiberXers' Top 2 chances better but they have to wait until the end to find out if they make it.

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