MERALCO battles Phoenix Super LPG and Talk N Text plays NorthPort in a pair of all-important matches at the close of the elimination round in the PBA Governors’ Cup basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Bolts will gun for their seventh win and a twice-to-beat advantage when they take on the Fuel Masters in the 3 p.m. curtainraiser.

The Tropang Giga, who also hold a similar 6-4 win-loss record, also hope for a victory over the Batang Pier to gain a crack at one of the Top Four berths and the twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinal round.

Victories by both the Bolts and the Tropang Giga would put them in a three-way tie with San Miguel Beer at 7-4.

A Meralco win, coupled with a TNT loss to NorthPort later in the day, would give the Bolts the No. 4 spot and the last twice-to-win incentive in the next round.

However, a Meralco loss followed by a TNT win over NorthPort would push the Bolts down to as low as No. 6.

The situation can go even worse for the Bolts if they lose and NorthPort wins, both in a big way.

The Bolts would then be relegated to multiple ties at 6-5, which would first be resolved by quotient followed by a one-game sudden-death on Sunday.

But while Meralco and TNT are still looking for twice-to-beat bonus in the next round, Phoenix and NorthPort are simply hoping for a win to stay alive.

Phoenix would also claim No. 6 if it prevails and TNT beats NorthPort.

The Batang Pier will miss the playoffs with a loss to TNT coupled by a win by Phoenix over Meralco. But they stay alive at 6-5 if they beat the Tropang Giga.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Robert Andaya