It’s as simple as it gets for Meralco in its meeting with Terrafirma in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup later at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Bolts only need to win against the also-ran Dyip in their 5:15 PM bout to complete the Top Four picture, which merits a coveted win-once incentive in the quarterfinals that raises its curtains on May 13.
NLEX, Ginebra, and Rain or Shine have already sealed their spots in the magic circle, and the crew of Coach Luigi Trillo wants to become the fourth and final team to join them for a favorable position in the next round.
But if Meralco — currently at no. 4 with a 7-3 record — loses to the regular league minnows, then things could get a bit tougher for the perennial contenders.
Presently, Magnolia, Phoenix, TNT, and San Miguel are tied at 6-5 in the standings. If the Bolts bow to Terrafirma and then the Hotshots on Sunday, then the latter could swoop in and take the coveted twice-to-beat advantage.
That’s why all of their attention is on the Dyip and the Dyip only, as they have zero intention of letting this golden chance slip away from them.
“We’re locked in on Terrafirma,” offered Trillo after their 108-93 rout of another eliminated team in Blackwater last Sunday, for their second win in a row.
Meralco enters the matchup as an overwhelming favorite, according to Casino Plus sportsbook, holding a -13.5 advantage. The over/under is set at 208.0.
Wagers can be placed here: https://www.casinoplus.com.ph/home/inGame?name=basketball&title=SportBet.
Closing out Friday’s double-header at 7:30 PM would be the Elasto Painters and another also-ran team in Titan Ultra, looking for a graceful exit.
Coach Yeng Guiao & Co. no longer need to chase that ninth win they’d set as a goal to clinch a twice-to-beat. Both RoS and the Kings got assured of that incentive after the Fuel Masters lost to guest team Macau last Wednesday.
Now, it’s all about fixing whatever needs fixing for the crew entering the playoffs, while also hoping to find ways to address Felix Lemetti’s absence.
Still, the Elasto Painters will treat their upcoming match versus the Giant Risers as a playoff game, expecting a tough battle ahead as they take on a team playing with no pressure after going out early.
That was evident against NLEX, where they came back from 14 down to threaten. Titan even had the chance to win it, but botched the opportunities, ultimately falling in overtime and absorbing its sixth straight defeat.
Needless to say, they wouldn’t want to end their conference on a seven-game losing streak, but the team knows as well what kind of team they’re going to face.
Rain or Shine is a -15.5 favorite, according to Casino Plus sportsbook, with the total points spread set at 220.0.
