Teams continue vying for Top Four spots as Rain or Shine, Ginebra, and Meralco see action in the penultimate Sunday of the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup eliminations at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Bolts, currently at fourth in the standings with a 6-3 record, will open the twin-bill affair at 5:15 PM with a meeting against the also-ran Blackwater. Then the 8-2 Elasto Painters and the Kings (7-3) duke it out at the 7:30 PM nightcap.
Much of the focus is on the main-event bout, as it features contenders looking to get back on track after losing in their previous matches.
Coach Yeng Guiao and his charges lost to a last-second JB Bahio jumper and ultimately bowed to NLEX, 92-90, which not only spoiled their aim of building another streak but also took the conference leadership away from them.
For a while, RoS stood atop 12 other teams. But the team is now at no. 2, having lost twice in their last three outings — that, after a 7-0 start in the tourney.
As a result, the Road Warriors are now the No. 1 team in the league. They even strengthened their grip following a 100-81 rout of Converge on Saturday, which also enabled the MVP franchise to clinch a win-once quarterfinal incentive.
Should the Elasto Painters fall, then Coach Jong Uichico’s squad could virtually lock up the top spot entering the playoffs’ opening round, since they have the advantage after beating both RoS and the crowd darlings earlier.
Rain or Shine, of course, wants none of that. The team means to accomplish its goal of nine wins to secure a twice-to-beat advantage and a quicker path to the final four — if they make good use of it.
Still, it won’t be easy, with Ginebra hungry for redemption after seeing its five-game winning streak snapped by Meralco last Friday.
And it won’t simply be about regaining their groove, as Coach Tim Cone & Co. look to keep their twice-to-beat hopes up since they’re already at third.
The game is a coin flip, according to Casino Plus sportsbook, with Ginebra only being a +1.5 underdog. The over/under is set at 210.0.
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Plus, the Kings want to create more separation from Meralco, which is also trying to stay in, if not climb, the Top Four by taking care of its own business.
The wards of Coach Luigi Trillo are hoping to win their three remaining games of the eliminations. Their first test is against the Bossing, who are just fighting for pride after getting eliminated last Wednesday.
The Bolts are favored as they will be taking on a team that’s bruised literally and figuratively. Robert Upshaw III remains uncertain due to a calf injury — the reason why they played all-Filipino and ultimately lost to Jenning Leung and Macau.
Still, they refuse to fall into complacency, simply looking to build off their aforementioned beatdown of Ginebra in an attempt to hit their target.
Meralco is the overwhelming favorite to win, according to Casino Plus’ sportsbook, as the Bolts are a 15.0 favorite to win. The over/under is set at 215.0.
