NLEX won by 3 points and with that win, Ginebra's chance to get the twice to beat spot decreased. There are rumors that they will be targeting the 4th spot so they will face the Bay Area Dragons on the Semi-Finals.
Ginebra can still seal the twice-to-beat advantage:
- if they will win all of their remaining games
(against Northport, Nov. 27 and Converge, Nov. 30)- if Magnolia Hotshots will lose their last elimination games
(against Meralco, Nov. 27 and Rain or Shine, Dec. 2)With these remaining games, for me, Ginebra vs Converge will be the most interesting match here.
I'll make a prediction base on that 2 scenarios.
-Ginebra might win against NorthPort even though the Batang Pier is on a 3-game winning streak but against Converge, if Miller will play, they might have a difficult time beating them.
-Magnolia has a high chance that they will beat Rain or Shine. Meralco Vs. Magnolia is an interesting match-up as well because Meralco is on a winning streak right now with McDaniels as their current import.
With the 4 games that you shared; I'm also waiting for the Ginebra-Converge match-up because that game will be big for the 2 teams. It will be on the 30th and I'll watch that game for sure.
And after the last game's result, the scenario would be:
- Ginebra's chances for the twice-to-beat are still possible if they will win against Converge on Wednesday and Magnolia will lose on Friday against the ROS
- If Magnolia won though, regardless if Ginebra will win or not against Converge, Mags will secure the 2nd place.
- If Ginebra loses against Converge on Wednesday, there's a possibility that they will face the SMB in the Quarterfinals. If they won instead, they might face Northport which seems to be a much lighter opponent obviously compared to SMB.
Let's see what will happened this week.
Ginebra Vs. Converge on the 30th. Both teams' last games and it will be the most important game for them.
TBH, I don't want to face 2 sister teams in the first round so I would want to see Ginebra win the game and face NorthPort on the first round. Well like you said, if out of nowhere, Magnolia lost to ROS and Ginebra will win then they will get the 2nd spot and it's much easier...or is it because Ginebra lost to Phoenix in eliminations. I don't know if it's only me that I'm feeling it, but I want to see Ginebra Vs. Bay Area in the PBA Finals and in order for that to happen, Ginebra must take the 2nd or 3rd spot but better if 2nd to have that twice to beat advantage.
On the other hand, I'm a bit curious on how MVP is feeling right now that MVP teams didn't enter the playoffs especially the TNT who we know is always dominating in every conference and has all the pieces to win a title. It's the first time for Coach Chot that he didn't enter the playoffs. It's the first time for the company that all 3 teams didn't enter the playoffs. An achievement. :X