PBA SCENARIOS: Who gets the last twice-to-beat advantage, final playoff berth

A lot are at stake in the final elimination round playdate of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup on Friday, January 31.

While NorthPort sits comfortably atop the heap with a superior 9-3 record, some teams are still fighting for the last win-once incentive and the final playoff berth.

And it all depends on the results of the Meralco Bolts vs Magnolia Hotshots game as well as the TNT Tropang Giga vs Rain or Shine Elasto Painters tiff..

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Before you go to PhilSports Arena in Pasig or watch the game live on TV on Friday, make sure to check out these scenarios:

TNT will claim the second spot and the twice-to-beat advantage if:

1. TNT beats Rain or Shine

• TNT gets the 9-3 record and the second seed

2. TNT bows to Rain or Shine, but Magnolia beats Meralco

• TNT, Converge, and Ginebra will figure in a three-way tie with an 8-4 record
• The Tropang Giga get the superior quotient

Converge will claim second spot if:

1. Meralco beats Magnolia, and Rain or Shine wins over TNT

• Converge gets the advantage in the 8-4 logjam due to a superior quotient

Rain or Shine will qualify if:

1. Rain or Shine beats TNT, and Meralco ousts Magnolia

• In this scenario, Rain or Shine will claim the sixth spot
• ROS gets the sixth spot over Eastern despite identical 7-5 records, as the Elasto Painters won their matchup

2. Rain or Shine beats TNT, and Magnolia survives Meralco

• In this scenario, Rain or Shine, Magnolia, and NLEX will be tied at 7-5.
• The Elasto Painters will claim the sixth spot due to the quotient.
• The Hotshots and the Road Warriors fight for the final playoff spot.

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3. Magnolia beats Meralco, and TNT nips ROS

• In this scenario, Magnolia and Rain or Shine (both at 6-6) will battle for the last berth.
• NLEX (6-6) gets the seventh spot due to a superior quotient.

The Elasto Painters would want to upset the Tropang Giga for a solid quarterfinals berth. Otherwise, there is a possibility they might head to a knockout game.

NLEX will qualify if:

1. Meralco beats Magnolia.

• That will give NLEX (6-6) an outright quarters berth

2. Magnolia beats Meralco, and TNT bests Rain or Shine,

• In this scenario, NLEX (6-6) will claim the seventh seed due to a superior quotient
• Magnolia and Rain or Shine (both 6-6) battle for the last slot.

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3. Magnolia beats Meralco, and Rain or Shine wins over TNT

• In this scenario, Magnolia and NLEX (both 6-6) will battle for the last slot.

The Road Warriors will be praying for the Bolts to win their assignment against the Hotshots. If Magnolia wins, NLEX would want TNT to beat Rain or Shine to avoid a play-off.

Magnolia will qualify if:

1. Magnolia beats Meralco, and TNT wins over Rain or Shine

• In this scenario, Magnolia and the Rain or Shine (both 6-6) will fight for the no. 8 spot.

2. Magnolia beats Meralco, but Rain or Shine wins over TNT

• In this scenario, Magnolia and NLEX (both 6-6) will battle for the last slot.

The Hotshots have to win their final elimination game against the Bolts for a shot at the playoffs. A loss would kick them out of contention.

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