DON’T look now, but San Miguel Beer, the country’s winningest team in basketball, is again looking good — and sitting pretty — as the PBA Philippine Cup elimination round enters its final week.

At 9-0, the Beermen need only to win their remaining two games against Blackwater Elite at the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Wednesday and Meralco in an out-of-town game in Batangas City on Saturday to complete a sweep.

But sweep or no sweep, the June Mar Fajardo-led Beermen are already assured of the No. 1 spot and a twice-to-beat advantage against the No. 8 team in the quarterfinal round.

That could either be Rain or Shine (5-5), Meralco ( 5-5), Terrafirma (5-5) or Batang Pier (5-6) depending on the results of the remaining games in the 11-team elimination round on May 1-5.

And unless the Beermen suddenly forget to play basketball in the quarterfinals and semifinals, the Jorge Gallent-mentored team is widely expected to make it all the way to the championship in the country’s longest-running play-for-pay league.

“If we play the same way we’ve been playing, it would not bother us. For as long as they (Beermen) continue to play hard and know their roles, we’ll be okay,” Gallent was quoted as saying.

So far, San Miguel Beer won over Rain or Shine (109-97), TNT (91-89), Phoenix Super LPG (116-102), Barangay Ginebra ( 95-92), Terrafirma

( 113-110), Converge FiberX ( 112-103), NorthPort ( 120-100), Magnolia Chicken Timplados (98-91) and NLEX (120-103).

The guessing game, however, focuses on San Miguel’s probable championship opponent.

Record-wise, Barangay Ginebra, NLEX, TNT and Magnolia appear to have the biggest chances to come out of the tightly-fought race and earn the right to challenge the Beermen for the coveted Philippine Cup.

All four teams are also locked in the tight battle for the top fout seats and the twice-to-beat advantages over their lower-ranked quarterfinal opponents.

At 7-3, Ginebra needs only to beat NLEX in its final elimination round assignment on May 5 to finish No.2 and the right to meet the No. 7 team armed with a twice-to-beat bonus.

NLEX, TNT and Magnolia, which hold similar 5-4 win-loss records, are in must-win situations to keep their seats in the upper half of the standings.

NLEX will close out its campaign against Rain or Shine and Ginebra, while TNT will battle Converge and Magnolia in its remaining two assignments.

Magnolia, on the other hand, will square off aganst Terrafirma and TNT.

So far, only two teams — Phoenix Super LPG (3-7) and Converge (1-9) are already out of contention with still eight games left in the schedule.

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The Association of Philippine Journalists-Samahang Plaridel Foundation Inc., one of the most respected media organizations in the country, is making its much-awaited return after three years of inactivity due to the pandemic.

Last April 20, the Association of Philippine Journalists-Samahang Plaridel Foundation Inc. conducted its first general membership meeting and election of officers at Aloha Hotel along Roxas Blvd., Manila.

The new officers are Evelyn Quiroz (president), Andy Sevilla (vice president), Hector Villacorta (board secretary), Jinky Jorgio (treasurer), Carmelita “Twinkle” Valdez (treasurer), Weng Ocfemia (PRO), and Ed Andaya, Joey de Guzman, Monc Henares, Vito Barcelo, Raymond Burgos, Milo Rivera, Klink Ang, Ron de los Reyes and Marc Anthony Reyes (trustees). Former president Rolando Estabillo of the Manila Standard will now serve as the Chairman Emeritus.

The new officers later gave honor to Marcelo H. del Pilar, whose monument is situated at the corner of Quirino Avenue and M.H. del Pilar St. in Manila.

NOTES — Advance happy birthday to my only daughter Stephanie M. Andaya, who is celebrating her special day with the family with a short but well-deserved vacation in Puerto Princesa City , Palawan…

Best wishes also to Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines president Oliver Gan, and Universal Reality Combat Championships founder Alvin Aguilar.

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