Ginebra has inside track on No. 1; 3 vie for No. 2

Barangay Ginebra. KC Cruz of PBA Images

MANILA, Philippines — A full game ahead of Petron Blaze squad and two clear of the next pursuer, Barangay Ginebra has a solid chance at bagging the No. 1 spot in the PLDT MyDSL Philippine Cup elimination round, leaving the Boosters and two others to dispute runner-up honors.

And Petron coach Gee Abanilla hopes to cling to the No. 2 spot until the end, what with the Gin Kings toting a 9-1 record.

“With the schedule that they (Gin Kings) have and with their current record, Ginebra has the inside track,” Abanilla told the Inquirer over the phone Thursday. “And that has basically left us (Petron, Rain or Shine and Talk ‘N Text) fighting it out for No. 2.”

Norman Black, coach of the “four-peat”-seeking Tropang Texters, said a lot of things can still happen but conceded that the Gin Kings do have the edge in the derby for the No. 1 spot.

“It’s still quite early,” Black said. “We still have five games left, but right now, they have the edge.”

Finishing in the top two carries a big advantage in the format since No. 1 clashes with No. 8, while No. 2 battles No. 7, needing to win just once in the quarterfinals to book a seat in the Final Four.

“Being at No. 2, we also have the advantage because we don’t play Rain or Shine and Talk ‘N Text anymore (for the rest of the eliminations),” Abanilla said. “Right now, we need to keep on winning.”