PBA GOVERNORS’ CUP MUSICAL CHAIR CONTINUES

STILL seven playing days remain and following last week’s tumultuous action, the situation stays as unpredictable as it was halfway through the elimination round of the ongoing 43rd Philippine Basketball Association season- ending Governors’ Cup.

Three teams – sister squads Magnolia Hotshots and Barangay Ginebra and Alaska – are currently within breath of making the quarterfinal round with identical 7-2 win-loss record each.

That makes them the strongest candidates to secure a place each in the top four and the twice-to-beat advantage over those which will complete the Final Eight field in the next round.

Two clubs though – Phoenix and Blackwater – are breathing down the necks of the Hotshots, the Kings and the Aces with similar 6-3 win-loss slate each and could spoil the aspirations of the to three occupiers.

As of this stage, 12 days to the end of the elimination on November 4, nine wins look safe for a berth in the quarters although, according to PBA head statistician Fidel Mangonon, depending on what happens in the remaining 22 games, the possibility of eight victories can advance.

Of the three top occupants in the leader board, the Aces look to move up with only a pair of relatively light assignments ahead in Northern Luzon Expressway (4-5) and Northport (2-7). Alaska meets NLEX on Friday before raking on the Batang Pier on October 28.

The Kings and the Hotshots, on the other hand, have yet to battle each