ONLY the final rankings will be stake today when Meralco and Barangay Ginebra battle the PBA Philippine Cup’s topnotchers at the close of the elimination round at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Meralco slugs it out with No. 2 San Mig Coffee in the 4:15 p.m. contest before the Gin Kings tangle with top-ranked defending champion Talk ‘N Text in the 6:30 p.m. game.
Both the Bolts and the Kings are hoping to keep their current rankings of fifth and sixth, respectively.
The quarterfinal round starts on Wednesday with the Texters to play No. 8 Air21 and the Mixers colliding with sister squad Petron Blaze, with both needing to win just once to advance to the Final Four.
Rain or Shine, which sealed third-seeding with a masterful conquest of Barako Bull on Friday, could end up clashing with the Kings in a best-of-three series unless Meralco loses to San Mig earlier and Ginebra triumphs over Talk ‘N Text.
Newcomer Globalport and the Energy were the ones that got the boot with the Batang Pier managing just a win in their 14 elims games and Barako Bull with a 4-10 record.
Alaska is the likely No. 4 team—unless lopsided outcomes happen in today’s regular doubleheader—and the Aces will be battling it out with the Bolts in the other best-of-three series.