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Magnolia, TNT Clash With Top Four Stakes on the Line

High-Stakes Battle at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium

The Magnolia Hotshots and TNT Tropang Giga are set to collide in a pivotal showdown that could reshape the playoff landscape of the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup. With an automatic Top Four finish within reach, Magnolia is gunning for a crucial win, while TNT fights for survival in a playoff-like atmosphere set for Friday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

A Top Four Spot Within Reach

A win for the Hotshots (7-3) guarantees them a spot in the Top Four, securing a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals. But standing in their way is a TNT squad (6-4) equally determined to stake their claim in the upper tier. A victory by TNT not only boosts their chances but also injects uncertainty into the final standings heading into the elimination round’s last day on Sunday.

Complex Race Among Seven Teams

While the top eight playoff teams are already identified, the final seeding remains highly volatile. As it stands, NLEX (8-3), San Miguel (7-3), Magnolia (7-3), Ginebra (7-3), Converge (7-4), Rain or Shine (6-4), and TNT (6-4) are all jostling for favorable placements. The outcomes of the remaining games will dictate who earns the coveted Top Four positions and the twice-to-beat perks that come with them.

Sunday’s matchups at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo — San Miguel vs. NorthPort and Rain or Shine vs. Ginebra — carry significant implications. If Magnolia, San Miguel, and Ginebra all win their final assignments, the Top Four will be locked. Otherwise, tiebreakers via quotient systems will come into play to determine the quarterfinal brackets: 1 vs. 8, 2 vs. 7, 3 vs. 6, and 4 vs. 5.

Magnolia’s Momentum Tested

Magnolia once looked like a sure bet for the top seed following a strong start. However, their campaign has hit turbulence, losing three of their last four games and casting doubt over their finishing strength. Still, the Hotshots remain dangerous, with the opportunity to control their destiny firmly in their hands.

TNT’s Redemption Mission

The Tropang Giga, on the other hand, are looking to bounce back from a humbling 78-97 defeat at the hands of Barangay Ginebra — a loss that snapped their six-game winning streak. Led by veteran tactician Coach Chot Reyes, TNT is expected to come out with urgency and fire, knowing that a win keeps their Top Four dream alive and sends a statement to the rest of the league.

A Playoff Atmosphere in the Elims

With both teams eyeing a Top Four finish and the stakes at their highest, fans can expect a gritty, playoff-caliber battle. The result not only shapes Magnolia and TNT’s immediate futures but also ripples across the entire playoff picture, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion to the elimination round.