FROM how it looks, only a major disaster could prevent Barangay Ginebra and Meralco from making the quarterfinals.
It's a question of which will gain the earlier passage - an eventuality that will be determined in their crucial clash in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday.
It's an important and critical face-off as it also has much bearing in the mad race for the Top Four - and its twice-to-beat reward for the quarterfinals.
Coach Tim Cone's chargers seek a piece of second spot with San Miguel Beer and NLEX at 6-2 while coach Luigi Trillo's troops go for a 6-5 closing card in the elims as they duke it out at 7:30 p.m.
Mathematically, the Bolts are still in the race for the Top Four at 5-5. They will bomb out of it if they lose to the Gin Kings or once four teams hit at least seven wins each.
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The Bolts are the first team to finish stint in the all-Filipino elims as they're committed to represent the country in Basketball Champions League Asia from June 9-15 in Dubai.
"It's exciting anytime you get to go out the country, play international basketball and represent the Philippines," said Meralco star Chris Newsome. "It's an honor and for us to be able to have that chance to represent the PBA and the Philippines, it's something that I would always suit up for, whether that's in a Meralco jersey or a Gilas jersey."
Meanwhile, the Kings are facing a tough sked of back-to-back games versus the Bolts Friday then the Magnolia Hotshots on Sunday.
Scottie Thompson and his teammates are coming off three straight wins while Newsome and Co. ride the momentum of back-to-back victories.
Newsome fired 21 points while CJ Cansino rifled in 20 as the Bolts halted the NLEX Road Warriors' six-game streak last Sunday.
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The Gin Kings, on the other hand, survived a spirited challenge by the Blackwater Bossing, 101-99, in a follow-up to earlier wins over Converge (85-66) and Phoenix Super LPG (119-112).(SB)
