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SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
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04
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27
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2024
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SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
04
27
2024
It’s more of battle for pride as Barangay Ginebra and Talk n Text, both assured of twice-to-beat advantage in the first part of the quarterfinals, clash in the final game of Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup elimination play at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Sunday.
It’s also something about building confidence and momentum as the Gin Kings and the Tropang Texters clash in the 5:15 p.m. mainer succeeding the 3 p.m. do-or-die duel between Blackwater and Mahindra for the last spot in the 10-team playoff phase.
The Kings and the Texters have clinched spots in the Top Six for a “win-once edge” in the quarters in winning their recent outings.
Ginebra actually won its last two games versus Blackwater (102-94 in overtime) and NLEX (91-90) while TNT bounced back from an 84-97 rout by San Miguel with a 107-96 drubbing of Globalport Friday.
Both teams, however, are eager to to stay on the run to have a momentum to ride on at the start of the post-elims play on Christmas Day.
The winner will be the fourth seed in the playoff, to be pitted against No. 9 while the loser will settle for sixth spot, to face the seventh-ranked team in stage one of the quarters.
As the higher ranked teams, the Kings and the Texters have two cracks at making the second stage of the quarters (a pair of knockout settos).
Doubtful starters are Scottie Thompson (with strained shoulder) for Ginebra and Moala Tautuaa (back spasm) for TNT.
The Texters have beaten the Kings in each of their last three games dating back to the quarterfinals of the same conference last year. (SB)
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