PBA Prediction: Can Magnolia and Phoenix overcome twice-to-beat disadvantage?

The 2023 playoffs of the Governors' Cup will be explosive! So, let me continue giving you my predictions! For this article, we will talk about TNT versus Phoenix and Magnolia versus Meralco.

TNT Versus Phoenix
X-Factors
Three-point shooting
Tyler Tio
Rebounds

This is the series wherein one team has a clear advantage. TNT is really dominant in the elimination round. Phoenix do not have a single statistical advantage over TNT. I am shocked to see Phoenix being in the 10th in terms of three-point shooting.

For TNT, one thing that they need to make sure is that no local will explode. Tio is the best candidate for Phoenix. So, they should look out for him.

I think rebounds will be crucial. It is the area that Phoenix can try to win even with the big difference in terms of talent.

Prediction
This is the easiest one. TNT is just clicking in all cylinders right now. Their offense is on a different level. I just hope this will not be the final playoff series of Phoenix in the PBA.

Magnolia Versus Meralco
X-Factors
Three-point shooting
KJ McDaniels
Bench

The top defensive teams will square up in this quarterfinals. Unfortunately for Magnolia, they will need to take a twice-to-beat disadvantage. And if you look at the numbers, that is surprising because Magnolia has better ones.

Three-point shooting is not a strength for both teams. The one though who will find a much better rhythm will have a good advantage on offense.

I feel like KJ can still go to another level. The guy was a different player when he was with NLEX. He can still get more aggressive on the offensive end.

Both teams want to utilize their benches. So, the bench who will be more consistent will provide a big help in getting this series.

Prediction
This is the hardest one to predict. If this is a best-of-three, choosing Magnolia is the right choice statistically. Meralco though has a twice-to-beat advantage. 

By looking more into the X-Factors, I decided to choose Meralco. It boils down to the bench of Meralco. I trust them better than Magnolia.