PBA Philippine Cup 2025 Quarterfinals Preview: Ginebra and NLEX in Prime Position
As the dust settles on the 2025 PBA Philippine Cup eliminations, the quarterfinals bracket is officially locked in—and it brings with it a mix of powerhouse contenders, plucky underdogs, and storylines that could define the rest of the tournament.
Here’s an early look at the two most intriguing quarterfinal matchups: Barangay Ginebra vs. Converge and NLEX vs. Rain or Shine.
🏀 #4 Barangay Ginebra (8-3) vs. #5 Converge FiberXers (7-4)
Format: Ginebra has twice-to-beat advantage
Converge has made a lot of noise this conference. They’re young, deep, and full of promise—especially with rookies like Justin Baltazar and Jeron Teng stepping up and the looming possibility that Mikey Williams could finally suit up after signing his Uniformed Player Contract (UPC). If Mikey returns in this series, Converge will suddenly have a big-time scoring option and a shot creator who can make things interesting.
However, Ginebra is peaking at the right time.
Led by the brilliant all-around play of Stephen Holt, who dropped 27 points on 6-of-11 shooting from three in their final game against Rain or Shine, the Gin Kings closed out the eliminations on a 3-game win streak and proved they can hang with the league’s elite. Holt’s performance, coupled with the steadiness of Scottie Thompson, the size of Japeth Aguilar, and the genius of Tim Cone, gives Ginebra too many tools.
The reality is simple: Converge would have to beat Ginebra twice. And despite their talent and youthful hunger, that’s a mountain too steep to climb against a playoff-tested team like Ginebra.
✅ Prediction: Ginebra advances
🏀 #2 NLEX Road Warriors (8-3) vs. #7 Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (6-5)
Format: NLEX has twice-to-beat advantage
If there’s one Cinderella story in this year’s Philippine Cup, it’s NLEX.
Nobody saw the Road Warriors finishing with a top-two seed. And yet, here they are—winners of 8 out of 11 games, including victories over top teams like Magnolia and Ginebra. Robert Bolick has been nothing short of brilliant, posting double-doubles and acting like a PBA version of Tyrese Haliburton, dishing dimes and creating offense for everyone. He’s supported by a rookie class (Xyrus Torres, Brandon Ramirez, Jonel Policarpio, JB Bahio) that has made immediate impact.
Rain or Shine, on the other hand, limps into the playoffs both literally and figuratively. Injuries have plagued their rotation, with veteran Beau Belga still recovering and the core struggling to find consistency. While Rey Nambatac and Gian Mamuyac are capable of big nights, asking this injury-depleted team to win two in a row against NLEX may be too much to ask.
Coach Yeng Guiao’s squad will put up a fight. But Bolick and company simply have too much momentum and chemistry heading into the playoffs.
✅ Prediction: NLEX advances
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