Top seed Barangay Ginebra and fourth-ranked Magnolia both look to avoid complications and enter the semifinals outright when they place their separate foes in the quarterfinals of the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup.
Both armed with twice-to-beat advantages, the Gin Kings and the Hotshots can clinch the first two semis berths should they win against their respective oppositions.
Ginebra clashes with No. 8 NLEX at 7 p.m. in the marquee attraction at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight even as Magnolia goes up against No. 5 Blackwater at 4:30 p.m. to open the playoffs.
Showing why they are the tournament favorites and two-time defending champions, the Gin Kings have been spot on so far in their title defense, having topped the elimination round with only two losses to date.
Still, Ginebra coach Tim Cone knows that the harder work lies ahead, but he is looking forward to yet another challenge for his team.
“We have everyone back now and we’re playing well at this point. We hope to carry all of that in the playoffs and see where it takes us,” said Cone.
The Gin Kings are understandably the favorites going in, but the Road Warriors’ unpredictability is expected to present some intrigue.
Over at the other side of the fence, the Hotshots are feared up to face the Elite’s challenge.
“We’ve achieved our goal in the eliminations and that is to get in the top four. It’s time for us to achieve our goal for the playoffs and go as deep as we can,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero.
The victors of these two quarterfinals affairs are set to face each other in the best-of-five semifinals.
Both NLEX and Blackwater are hoping they can live to fight another day against their higher-ranked opponents.