Fans love to dwell on What Ifs sometimes. So we decided to answer the question: What if the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup started today?
What if the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup elimination round ended during the Christmas break?
Perennial contenders San Miguel, TNT, NLEX, and Magnolia would be scrambling for the last two spots in the quarterfinals. A rare occurrence in today's local basketball landscape.
The two who will advance will face either top seed NorthPort or Rain or Shine in a tough win-twice situation.
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At the rate things are going, the future looks bleak for Phoenix (1-5), Blackwater (1-5), and Terrafirma (0-7). But crazier things have happened in the PBA.
So who gets those coveted slots? The lower half of the PBA Commissioner's Cup will look like this if the playoffs started today:
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San Miguel (3-3)
Once the Beermen figure out import Jabari Narcis, it would hard to stop him and eight-time MVP June Mar Fajardo inside the paint.
Narcis, hefty and all, can also spread the floor for the team that welcomed old coach Leo Austria back into the fold.
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But would the frontcourt pair actually work wonders? If so, when? Time could be ticking for the defending champs.
TNT (2-2)
Though TNT tots a pedestrian 2-2 win-loss record so far, it would be remiss of any team to count out the Tropang Giga.
After all, two-time Best Import and champion Rondae Hollis-Jefferson still leads the battle-tested squad under decorated coach Chot Reyes.
TNT also rides the crest of a two-game winning streak, and the Tropang Giga could be primed for a strong run despite a slow start.
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NLEX (3-4)
NLEX can get its act together anytime.
And when it does, it would be hard to contain them especially with Robert Bolick and import Mike Watkins leading the charge.
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Before finding themselves on this downward spiral, the Road Warriors were on a roll, scoring three consecutive victories.
NLEX would be a dangerous team if it rediscovers its might again.
Magnolia (2-5)
Magnolia is struggling mightily in the ongoing import-spiced conference.
Though he looks like a shadow of his old dominant self, import Ricardo Ratliffe remains a force for the Hotshots inside the paint.
The Hotshots only need one spark to get things humming again.
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