PBA quarterfinals seedings known today

AFTER securing a twice-to-beat berth in the quarterfinals, San Miguel Beer head coach Jorge Gallent reminded his wards to demonstrate the same effort and grit as the Beermen close the 2022-23 PBA Governors’ Cup eliminations round against Rain or Shine today, March 17, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

The Beermen hammered the NLEX Road Warriors 120-106 last Wednesday to secure the third twice-to-beat edge in the quarterfinal round.

A win by San Miguel against Rain or Shine (2-8) in their 3 p.m. tussle will give the Gallentcoached squad the second seed heading to the quarterfinals with a 9-2 card.

Even without star center June Mar Fajardo, who is out for six more weeks due to an MCL sprain on his knee, SMB remains a force to be reckoned with and is heavily favored to win against the Elasto Painters who will close their elimination round schedule without an import.

The second game scheduled at 5:45 p.m. features league-leader TNT (9-1) and Barangay Ginebra (8-2).

TNT coach Jojo Lastimosa said entering the quarterfinals as the top seed or second seed is immaterial, considering that it doesn’t guarantee going deep in the playoffs.

“What I’m trying to say is it’s just one game. Nagkataon lang na Ginebra ‘yun, but I’m sure it’s gonna be a nice game to watch and play in,” he said.

A win by both TNT and SMB will ensure both squads for the top two seeds heading into the quarterfinals. On the other hand, Ginebra drops to third seed.

Should TNT corner the number one seed, it will face Phoenix, the No. 8 ranked squad, in the opening round of the playoffs.

San Miguel will then take on Converge, the seventh seed.

But a win by Ginebra and Rain or Shine would shake up the top four teams’ positioning as the Gin Kings will go on to secure the top seed at 9-2, followed by the Tropang Giga (9-2) and the Beermen (8-3).

The fourth seed is already sealed by Meralco which ended the elimination round in a three-way tie for fourth to sixth places with Magnolia and NLEX at 7-4.

The Bolts got the fourth seed and the final twice-to-beat edge due to a superior quotient.