(c) PBA Media Bureau
TNT Ka Tropa and Northport Batang Pier will cash-in their rewards of being a top 2 team this conference. TNT will face Alaska who just survived Meralco to clinch the 8th seed. While Northport will be tasked to end the grand slam bid of the San Miguel Beermen.
Which team will win the first game?
Let us see.
TNT - Alaska
I was happy to see Vic Manuel get back into his rhythm last Friday. He was the top scorer for the Aces with 23 points. I was also reminded of how good Chris Banchero is when he delivered five straight points to force overtime.
That duo will need to have perfect games to get a victory against TNT.
Looking at the match-up it is hard to see any path that the Aces can take to win the game other than being perfect on both ends.
TNT should not be overconfident though. They still need to deliver the killing blows to punch their way to the semifinals.
Overall, I do not think Diamond Simpson is the guy who can glue the Aces into the right defense and offense to beat TNT.
TNT will win this series, right away.
San Miguel - Northport
Should Northport be happy or sad about their playoff situation? They have twice to beat advantage but they will face the most loaded line-up in the league. If we only look at the papers, I cannot see any advantage for Northport.
That is the reason why this is more of a one-game playoff for the Batang Pier. If they lose the first game, I do not see how the Beermen will lose to Batang Pier in a single do-or-die game.
For the Beermen, winning against the Batang Pier is not an easy task. Batang Pier is loaded with young studs and veterans who want to prove that they belong in the elite.
There is a good chance that Batang Pier can outwork the Beermen. The key here could be the scheme that coach Leo Austria will bring to the game.
For this game, I am counting for an 'upset'. Yes, I think Northport will end this in just a single game. They may not have the talent of the Beermen but they do have the right type of players to get the victory in their first game.
San Miguel - Northport
Should Northport be happy or sad about their playoff situation? They have twice to beat advantage but they will face the most loaded line-up in the league. If we only look at the papers, I cannot see any advantage for Northport.
That is the reason why this is more of a one-game playoff for the Batang Pier. If they lose the first game, I do not see how the Beermen will lose to Batang Pier in a single do-or-die game.
For the Beermen, winning against the Batang Pier is not an easy task. Batang Pier is loaded with young studs and veterans who want to prove that they belong in the elite.
There is a good chance that Batang Pier can outwork the Beermen. The key here could be the scheme that coach Leo Austria will bring to the game.
For this game, I am counting for an 'upset'. Yes, I think Northport will end this in just a single game. They may not have the talent of the Beermen but they do have the right type of players to get the victory in their first game.
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