Rivalry Renewed: Barangay Ginebra and Magnolia Face Off in PBA Philippine Cup Playoffs
Barangay Ginebra and Magnolia, two powerhouse teams in the PBA, are set to clash in the quarterfinals of the Philippine Cup playoffs.
Early Showdown
The Gin Kings and the Hotshots, known for their deep playoff runs, now find themselves pitted against each other earlier than expected. Following the results of their last elimination round games, the sister teams are gearing up for a fierce battle.
“If we could’ve avoided Magnolia, we certainly would’ve avoided them. But we could not,” said Ginebra head coach Tim Cone. “We were hoping to face them later on in the tournament, not have to knock each other out this early. But you do not really have control over that.”
The Hotshots slipped to the No. 7 spot after a tough loss to TNT, while the Gin Kings also faced defeat against NLEX, setting the stage for this high-stakes quarterfinal matchup.
Playoff Scenarios
Despite the setback against TNT, Magnolia still has a shot at the No. 6 spot, banking on Ginebra’s performance against NLEX. The Gin Kings, already secured in the second seed with a win-once bonus, are determined to maintain their momentum.
With both teams finishing with a 6-5 record, Magnolia, Meralco, TNT, Rain or Shine, and NLEX are in a tight race for playoff positions. Magnolia settled for the No. 7 spot due to an inferior quotient among the tied teams.
High Stakes
Armed with a twice-to-beat advantage, Ginebra is aiming to eliminate Magnolia early and secure a spot in the semifinals for the fourth consecutive conference.
The quarterfinals are set to begin on Friday, May 10, promising an intense showdown between these perennial contenders.
