There are four possible scenarios depending on the outcome of the Meralco-San Miguel and TNT-Magnolia games on Wednesday. Here are the things that we know are certain, as of Sunday:


NorthPort and TNT have twice-to-beat advantages in the quarterfinals. Who finishes 1st and 2nd still needs to be determined, however.


  • Blackwater will finish as the 3rd seed.
  • Ginebra has secured the 4th seed.
  • Seven playoff spots have been filled. Alaska, Meralco and Phoenix are battling for the 8th spot.
  • NLEX and Columbian are eliminated.


The only chance for Alaska to make the playoffs is via a do-or-die game. But the Aces' opponents have yet to be determined.

Scenario 1: If San Miguel and Magnolia win

Both teams will finish with a 6-5 record. Since the Hotshots defeated the Beermen in the eliminations, Magnolia will finish in 5th place, while San Miguel will settle for 6th. This will setup a titanic "Manila Clasico" duel between Ginebra and Magnolia in the quarterfinals, while the Beermen will battle Blackwater -- both series will be a best-of-3. Meralco will drop to 3-8 and won't make the playoffs, which leaves Alaska and Phoenix in a do-or-die game for the 8th seed.

Quarterfinals Matchups:

(1) NorthPort vs (8) Phoenix or Alaska
(2) TNT vs (7) Rain or Shine
(3) Blackwater vs (6) San Miguel
(4) Ginebra vs (5) Magnolia

Scenario 2: If San Miguel and TNT win

The Beermen will become the 5th seed. Magnolia, on the other hand, will finish with an identical record with Rain or Shine at 5-6, but the Elasto Painters will lock up the 6th seed by virtue of their win over the Hotshots.

Meralco goes 3-8 and out of the playoffs, leaving Alaska and Phoenix in a do-or-die game for the 8th seed. TNT will finish as the top seed with a 10-1 card and will face the winner of the Phoenix-Alaska playoff.

Quarterfinal Matchups:

(1) TNT vs (8) Phoenix or Alaska
(2) Northport vs (7) Magnolia
(3) Blackwater vs (6) Rain or Shine
(4) Ginebra vs (5) San Miguel


Scenario 3: If Meralco and Magnolia win

If the Bolts win, they finish with a 4-7 record, tied with Alaska and Phoenix. But by virtue of an inferior quotient, the Fuel Masters will be eliminated from the playoffs, leaving Alaska and Meralco to slug it out for the final playoff spot.

A win will give the Hotshots a 6-5 card, which will leapfrog them past San Miguel in the standings. The Hotshots will finish in 5th place, the Beermen in 6th, and Rain or Shine will end up in 7th.

A TNT loss will drop the KaTropa in a tie with the Batang Pier at 9-2. And by virtue of NorthPort's win over TNT in the elims, the Batang Pier will finish as the top seed for the first time in franchise history where they will face the winner of the Aces-Bolts playoff game. TNT, on the other hand, will have a twice-to-beat advantage over Rain or Shine.

Quarterfinal Matchups:

(1) NorthPort vs (8) Meralco or Alaska
(2) TNT vs (7) Rain or Shine
(3) Blackwater vs (6) San Miguel
(4) Ginebra vs (5) Magnolia

Scenario 4: If Meralco and TNT win

If the Bolts win, they finish with a 4-7 record, tied with Alaska and Phoenix. And by virtue of an inferior quotient, the Fuel Masters will be eliminated from the playoffs, leaving Alaska and Meralco to slug it out for the final playoff spot.

A loss by San Miguel and Magnolia will leave give them identical records with Rain or Shine at 5-6. The Beermen will have the worst quotient in this situation, so Magnolia will finish in 5th place, Rain or Shine in 6th, and San Miguel in 7th.

Quarterfinal Matchups:

(1) TNT vs (8) Meralco or Alaska
(2) Northport vs (7) San Miguel
(3) Blackwater vs (6) Rain or Shine
(4) Ginebra vs (5) Magnolia

via tv5.espn.com @Chuck Araneta