Barangay Ginebra San Miguel resumes its twice-to-beat aspirations when it parts ways Converge in the main game of the scheduled double header of the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Philsports Arena.
Both Ginebra and Converge carry the same 8-3 win-loss record, but the league’s most popular team is still in the running for a possible twice-to-beat advantage although its fate is no longer in its hands.
The Kings will need to win their 5:45 p.m. encounter with the FiberXers but will have to pray for a Magnolia loss against Rain or Shine in their last elimination round game on Friday.
For the FiberXers, it’s about carrying a winning mentality ahead of the playoffs as they play in their first playoff appearance in their young history.
In its previous match against NorthPort, Converge decided to play all-Filipino as it benched import Quincy Miller for disciplinary measures.
The FiberXers cracked the whip at the height of their seven-game winning run and on the crest of securing a potential top two berth.
Head coach Aldin Ayo’s move was strongly supported by Converge management, which made a stand that its philosophy is more than just winning a basketball game.
“We’re setting standards, teaching valuable lessons on hard work and discipline. This is the Converge way,” said Chito Salud, a lawyer and former league commissioner who now serves as Converge’s representative to the board.
Miller is expected to return to action and get himself warmed up for the playoffs and facing the Kings will serve as a fitting workout.
Meanwhile, Meralco and NLEX fight for dear life as the siblings under the MVP Group of Companies stable try to avoid suffering the fate of TNT, their other sister team, when they collide at 3 p.m.
NLEX had just snapped a five-game losing binge following a huge 120-117 overtime win over Ginebra on 25 November, but it needs to win its last eliminations game against Meralco to secure a possible seat in the quarterfinal round.
The fate of the Road Warriors, however, now depends on the outcome of other matches.
For Meralco, another constant fixture in the playoffs, its string of playoff appearances is likewise being threatened.
A victory over the Road Warriors and a win in their final elimination round game against San Miguel will give the Bolts a chance to make their way back to the playoffs, although their outright entry would be so slim and they will need to go through a knockout phase for the last quarterfinals seat should there be a five-way tie for fifth to ninth places among NorthPort, Phoenix, San Miguel and Rain or Shine if ever they will all end up with the same 6-6 win-loss slates.
The Bolts have to win their last two games and beat San Miguel by more than 34 points to gain an outright spot in the next round.
