Crucial Back to Back Games this Weekend

The elimination round will come to a close this coming weekend with games being played on Saturday and Sunday. Will New World or LM Money Transfer make it to the next round? Will JR Panel give CMR their first loss of the conference? Will Dimond secure their place in the next round?

Four games this weekend, all of them exciting. Every win, every loss count so much in terms of making it all the way to the finals or making it to the finals. With the carry over format in play, one bad day may mean missing out on a finals slot. Next week we start the semis.

Saturday Games:
Manila Motors will play their last game of the semis against JR Panel. If the Panel Beaters win this will give their finals chances a huge boost. But beating the West based team is easier said than done. We were told they are also undefeated in another tournament they are participating in, so add that to the Ambassador's cup held in June where they swept all their games, this would give them around 16 consecutive won games. Their key player self proclaimed MVP Kris Patriarca is unstoppable. First round encounter was a close one, so Manila Motors will be expected to win this one.

New World is still looking for their first "V". Saturday will see them play against Dimond/Ampelite who at this stage need every win they can get to keep up with CMR and JR Panel Beaters. Depending on what kind of New World team turns up, Dimond is expected to get this much needed win.

Sunday Games:
Two games this weekend that will make a huge difference in each team's fortune. The first game will pit two finals' contenders. New team JR Panel aiming for a Cinderella finish, while defending champs Dimond/Ampelite hoping for the first ever Three-peat in this tournament. The winning team will solidify their hold on second place against league leader Manila Motors/CMR. The second game LM Money Transferers vs New World will decide which team gets dropped.

First time Dimond and JR Panel met, the Roofmakers won against a depleted line up of the Panel Beaters. Missing were at least 5 key players due to unavailability. This time around expect JR Panel to bring all their players. This star studded line up can certainly go all the way. Depending on who plays with more urgency, or put simply, the hungrier team will win. These two teams certainly know each other, with 6 of the Panel Beaters having played with Dimond's key players over the last 4 years. Expect a well matched game.

Based on our computations New World will need to win by 18 points (PBA officials need to confirm)  to make it to the next round. This is because first time they met, LM Money Transferers won by 17 points. Kaya ba? Of course! In this tournament nothing surprises us anymore. On any given day, anyone can score an upset. Again, it will be a battle between youth and experience; young ones vs veterans., New World has been playing inconsistently while LM has been turning up with only a few players. Lets see who wants to continue playing. Winner gets to play another 3 games in the semis. That might not be enough of an incentive for those who are tired.

 

Remember guys, see you at the games and bilog ang bola!!!