Contrasting Goals as Elimination Round Closes
As the PBA Philippine Cup elimination round draws to a close, San Miguel Beer (SMB) and NorthPort Batang Pier gear up for a crucial face-off on Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. However, the two teams enter the court with vastly different motivations.
NorthPort, already out of playoff contention with a 2-8 record, is simply aiming to end their campaign on a high note. For SMB, on the other hand, the stakes could not be higher. The game could define their path in the playoffs—either as a top seed with a favorable bracket or a lower-seeded squad facing a tougher challenge.
What’s at Stake for San Miguel
With a current 7-3 record, a win would secure San Miguel an 8-3 finish and likely the No. 1 seed entering the quarterfinals. Even if three other teams—NLEX, Magnolia, and possibly Ginebra—also finish at 8-3, SMB would top the standings due to superior quotient, a common PBA tiebreaker system.
However, a loss could spell trouble. It may drag SMB into a four-way tie at 7-4 with Ginebra, Converge, and Rain or Shine. In that case, they could drop as low as the fifth seed, which comes with a twice-to-win disadvantage against a dangerous lower-seeded team like Converge—the same squad that just dealt them a heartbreaking 100-97 loss last Wednesday.
That’s a scenario coach Leo Austria is determined to avoid.
“They need to have a sense of urgency,” Austria said. “If they really show that, they won’t lose. This game is very, very important.”
Treating It Like a Playoff Game
Coach Austria emphasized that his team should approach the NorthPort match with a playoff mentality. He even likened it to the start of a best-of-three series, underscoring how the outcome will significantly impact their postseason positioning.
“If we win, we’re just one more game away from the semifinals,” he said. “But if we lose, we’ll need to win two straight.”
The loss to Converge, where SMB overcame an 18-point deficit only to squander a nine-point fourth-quarter lead, served as a wake-up call. Austria pointed out that poor starts and endgame execution lapses must be corrected immediately.
“We learned a lesson last game,” Austria said. “It was just the breaks of the game at the end, but we shouldn’t have let it get to that point.”
Beware of NorthPort’s Run-and-Gun Attack
While NorthPort has nothing left to lose, they won’t be an easy opponent. Fresh from a 113-108 upset over NLEX, the Batang Pier have shown they can surprise even playoff-caliber teams. Austria has cautioned his players against underestimating them.
“We have to control their transition offense,” Austria warned. “They like to run because they’re smaller. That’s how they beat teams—by outrunning them.”
According to Austria, limiting turnovers and avoiding poor shot selection will be crucial. Efficient execution will prevent NorthPort from getting easy fastbreak points, which are often their main scoring source.
For San Miguel Beer, this is more than just the final game of the eliminations—it’s a test of composure, discipline, and championship mentality. A win secures them a favorable postseason path. A loss, however, could send them tumbling into a more difficult bracket. As for NorthPort, they’ll be looking to play spoiler and end their season with something to build on. Sunday’s game promises to be a high-stakes battle where only one team leaves the court satisfied.