A Dramatic Finish to the Elimination Round
The 2024 PBA Philippine Cup elimination round is heading toward a dramatic climax as three powerhouse teams remain in fierce contention for the coveted twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals. With only two games left on the calendar, the Sunday double-header at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo will be decisive.
Locked In: NLEX and Magnolia
Heading into the final day, NLEX Road Warriors and the Magnolia Hotshots have already secured their places in the Top Four, both holding solid 8-3 records. Their consistent performances throughout the conference have guaranteed them the twice-to-beat edge in the next round.
San Miguel on the Brink
San Miguel Beer, currently at 7-3, is in prime position to clinch the third Top Four spot. The Beermen face NorthPort Batang Pier at 5:00 p.m., a matchup heavily tilted in their favor given NorthPort’s 2-8 standing and early exit from playoff contention. A win by SMB would secure their spot and simplify the playoff picture.
Main Event: Ginebra vs Rain or Shine – A Virtual Playoff
The spotlight then shifts to the Barangay Ginebra vs Rain or Shine clash at 7:30 p.m., a virtual playoff that could determine the fate of the final Top Four slot.
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For Ginebra, a win means an outright entry into the Magic Four and the twice-to-beat bonus.
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For Rain or Shine, a win keeps their hopes alive, triggering a potential three-way tie at 7-4 with Ginebra and Converge FiberXers, which would be settled via the quotient system.
The Stakes: Simplified or Complicated?
If both San Miguel and Ginebra win, the Top Four will be NLEX, Magnolia, San Miguel, and Ginebra—eliminating any tiebreak scenarios and providing a clear playoff seeding.
However, if Rain or Shine beats Ginebra, the standings become tangled. A three-way tie for fourth would force the league to apply the quotient system, where point differentials from head-to-head matchups among the tied teams decide who moves on with the advantage.
Recent Form: Momentum and Setbacks
Ginebra, coached by the veteran Tim Cone, is surging at just the right time. Their recent back-to-back victories over strong teams like Magnolia (85-81) and TNT Tropang Giga (97-78) have propelled them into this position.
Rain or Shine, on the other hand, stumbled in their most recent game, losing a high-scoring affair to San Miguel Beer (111-120)—a defeat that may come back to haunt them if the tiebreak comes into play
As the elimination round wraps up, every point, possession, and coaching adjustment on Sunday could make or break a team’s championship aspirations. Whether it’s the rising momentum of Ginebra, the consistent form of NLEX and Magnolia, or the fighting spirit of Rain or Shine, fans are in for a thrilling finish.
One thing is certain: the road to the PBA crown is heating up, and the race for the twice-to-beat advantage is far from over.