SO now there’s only four teams left in the hunt for the coveted PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

The top three teams after the elimination round — Magnolia Chicken Timplados, San Miguel Beer and defending champion Barangay Ginebra — capitalized on their win-once advantage in the quarterfinals to make it to the next round.

But the fourth team — Phoenix Super LPG — went through the proverbial eye of the needle to advance and complete the semifinal cast.

And with the best-of-five playoffs upon us, it’s time to bring out our tried and tested crystal ball and take a look at what’s in store for the loyal PBA fans.

No 1. Magnolia vs. No. 4 Phoenix

How did they get there:

Magnolia — 9-2 wn-loss eliminations. Defeated No. 8 TNT Tropang Giga, 109-94, in the quarterfinals.

Phoenix — 8-3 win-loss eliminations. Defeated No. 5 Meralco Bolts, 88-84, in quarterfinals.

Match-up — Magnolia defeated Phoenix, 107-92, last Nov. 12.

On paper, Magnolia should be the overwhelming favorite to beat Phoenix in their best-of-five semifinal showdown.

..Led by import Tyler Bey and handled by coach Chito Victolero, the Hotshots have the most number of wins in the elimination round, including a masterful 107-92 victory over Phoenix at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Bey, the 6-7 forward from Las Vegas, who was selected No. 36 overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2020 NBA Draft, averaged 27.6 points a game — third in the league — and 14.0 rebounds in 11 games in the elimination, is expected to do it all again for the Hotshots against the Fuel Masters and import Johnathan Williams III.

Mark Barroca (13.8 ppg, 5.0 apg, 2.7 rpg), Paul Lee (12.5 ppg, 4.2 ) and Jio Jalalon (12.0 ppg, 5.4 apg, 5.1 rpg) and Calvin Abueva ( 8.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.5 apg) should provide strong local support.

Phoenix, which is making its first semifinal appearance since the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup under coach Louie Alas, is unfazed.

The Fuel Masters will pin their hopes on Williams, the 6-9 power-forward from Memphis, Tennessee,, who is best remembered for playing for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2018-19 season.

Williams, who averages 27.0 points, 15.6 rebounds and 5.4 assists in 11 games under coach Jamike Jarin.

Phoenix’s supporting cast of Jason Perkins, RJ Jazul, ken Tuffin and Javee Mocon should also figure prominently.

No. 2 San Miguel Beer vs. No. 3 Barangay Ginebra

How did they get there:

San Miguel — 8-3 win-loss eliminations. Defeated No. 7 Rain or Shine, 127-122, in the quarterfinals.

Barangay Ginebra — 8-3 win-loss eliminations. Defeated No. 6 NorthPort, 106-93.

Match-up — San Miguel defeated Ginebra, 95-82, last Dec. 15.

The San Miguel-Ginebra semifinal encounter should be tight and exciting based on the two teams’ star-studded lineups and talent-laden coaching staffs.

San Miguel and Ginebra are also both on a roll, with the Beermen enjoying a five-game winning streak and the Kings riding on a four-game winning run to gaun twice-to-beat bonus in the quarfterfinals.

San Miguel, led by import Bennie Boatwright (40.3 points, 13.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists in three games, also made short work of Rain or Shine, 127-122, in the quarterfinals, while Ginebra, bannered by Tony Bishop (22.9 points, 12.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 11 games, got the job done against NorthPort, 106-93, in the quarters.

Expect Boatwright, June Mar Fajardo (19.2 ppg, 11.7 rpg), CJ Perez (16.4 ppg, 7.0 rpg), Terrence Romeo ( 15.4 ppg, 4.5 apg) and Celedonio Trollano (12.8ppg, 5.6 rpg) of San Miguel Beer and Bishop, Christian Standhardinger ( 17.2 ppg, 9.64 rpg), Maverick Ahanmisi (14.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 4.0 apg). Jamie Malonzo (14.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg:) and Japeth Aguilar (10,2 ppg, 5.5 rpg,) of Ginebra to step up to the challenge.

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Watch out for the ERJHS Alumni Sports Club 3×3 basketball tournament on Feb. 24-25 at the Barangay N.S Amoranto covered court in Malaya St.,.Quezon City.

The event is part of the ERJHS 72nd Foundation Day and GrandAlumni Homecoming on Feb. 23-25, 2024.

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