Crucial games up ahead

Games Today (Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City) 4:30 p.m. – San Miguel vs Blackwater 7 p.m. – Magnolia vs NLEX

If there is one sure thing at the moment in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoffs, it’s Rain or Shine at the No. 1 spot armed with a twice-to-beat bonus in the crossover quarterfinals.

The rest is in the realm of conjectures and speculations,.

The unsettled will be decided, however, in the last three play dates before the quarters commence on Monday.

The Elasto Painters clinched the top spot in the playoffs following a 10699 overtime victory against the Meralco Bolts last June 24, which improved their record to 9-1.

Regardless of the result of the ROS game with TNT KaTropa on Saturday, the E-Painters will remain on top and ranged with the No. 8 qualifier.

A win by TNT will give the KaTropa an 8-3 card. Alaska can also finish the elimination at 8-3 if it beats Phoenix Fuel.

If they end up with similar 8-3 records, the winner-over-the-other rule will be applied. Since the Aces downed the KaTropa 110-100 last May 13, Alaska will take the No. 2 spot and the sec- ond twice-to-beat while TNT falls to No. 3 and will play in a mini-series.

A setback by Alaska and TNT will put them in a three-way tie with Meralco all sporting 7-4 cards.

Defending champion San Miguel Beer – currently at 5-4 – can force a four-way logjam if it wins its last two games against Blackwater today and Magnolia on Saturday.

Another crucial match is the one pitting Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and GlobalPort since both teams carry 5-5 cards.