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BIÑAN, Laguna—It is just fitting that TNT KaTropa and Barangay Ginebra bring the curtains down on the PBA Governors’ Cup eliminations playing for a truly coveted prize.
And this one is supposed to be no-bearing for both of them.
The Texters, the leaders for most of the round, and the Gin Kings, the hottest team in the past month or so, slug it out for top-ranking in the season-closing conference’s playoffs today at Alonte Sports Center here.
Tip-off is at 6:45 p.m. with not only the right to play No. 8 at stake but also the chance to avoid the specter of clashing with powerhouse defending champion San Miguel Beer in the Final Four.
“It’s going to be a crucial game for both teams,” said TNT coach Jong Uichico. “The game is supposed to carry little bearing since both have earned twice-to-beat privileges already.”
TNT took over from Mahindra less than a month into the eliminations and set the pace from there and would be seeking to win this one to cap what has been an impressive conference and gain the lightest possible assignment in the road to the semifinals.
“I don’t think either team is going to give an inch,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone. “It could turn out to be the best nonbearing game in history.”
The Beermen also see action, clashing with ousted Blackwater in the 4:30 p.m. game and could finish as high as No. 2 with a victory.
A TNT win and an expected romp by the Beermen would make San Miguel the No. 2 team and Ginebra No. 3, putting the sister teams on a collision course in the Final Four.
Winning over the Texters would give Ginebra top seeding by virtue of the winner-over-the-other rule and would make TNT No. 2 regardless of the outcome of the San Miguel-Blackwater game.