PBA: MVP ballclubs have inside track in race to Final Four

By Jonas Terrado

Telecommunications tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan has good reasons to feel optimistic of the chances of seeing one of his three teams claim ownership of this season’s PBA Governors’ Cup trophy.

With all three of his teams landing in the top three coupled with the twice-to-beat advantage, Pangilinan should feel confident that finally tasting a PBA title that has eluded him since 2015.

This conference marked the first time all of Pangilinan’s teams — NLEX, Meralco and TNT KaTropa — got the quarterfinal bonus, a feat that is usual occurrence for corporate rival San Miguel Corporation.

Only one of the three SMC clubs got the other twice-to-beat incentive, with Barangay Ginebra beating Grand Slam-seeking San Miguel Beer and defending champion Magnolia to the punch.

All three MVP teams finished with identical 8-3 slates with NLEX securing the top seed despite dropping its last two outings, Meralco getting second by maintaining its strong showing with import Allen Durham and TNT placing third after it barely getting the bonus.

Barring any collapse in the quarters, there’s a strong chance of a first all-MVP finale could be in the offing unless the San Miguel clubs play the spoiler roles.

In fact, recent history shows that getting a higher seed does not guarantee a championship.

SMB won the Commissioner’s Cup crown last August despite placing seventh at the end of the elims and was seeded fifth before capturing an unprecedented fifth straight Philippine Cup title.

The Philippine Cup saw top two teams Phoenix Pulse and Rain or Shine falling short in the semis and No. 2 NorthPort blowing a twice-to-beat bonus against SMB.

Ginebra bagged last season’s Commissioner’s Cup trophy despite placing fifth, beating sixth-ranked SMB in the Finals.

These trend is something NLEX, Meralco and TNT are hoping to break.

TNT is eyeing its first title since the 2015 Commissioner’s Cup, Meralco hopes to finally win one after title defeats to Ginebra in the 2016 and 2017 Governors’ Cup while NLEX looks to secure a breakthrough finals berth.

Source: Manila Bulletin