2023 Govs Cup Tropang Giga twice-to-beat playoffs advantage

After six weeks, the TNT Tropang Giga became the first team to have a twice-to-beat advantage heading into the 2023 PBA Governors Cup quarterfinals.

With an 8-1 win-loss record, the TNT Tropang Giga still stayed on top of the leaderboard, with the San Miguel Beermen and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel closely following at the second and third spot with a 7-2 standing.

The NLEX Road Warriors have a 7-3 win-loss record in the fourth spot, followed by the Meralco Bolts with a 7-4 standing. At sixth spot is the Magnolia Chicken Timplado Hotshots with a 6-4 win-loss record, followed by the Converge FiberXers with a 6-5 standing.

Aside from the TNT Tropang Giga, which is already assured of the twice-to-beat advantage, and the Converge FIberXers, which would settle for the fifth to eighth spot heading into the playoffs, all teams still have a chance to have a twice-to-beat advantage.

For the eighth spot, the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, which currently has a 4-7 win-loss record, and the NorthPort Batang Pier, which presently has a 3-7 standing, are still in contention for the final playoff spot.

The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and Terrafirma Dyip, which both have a 2-8 win-loss record, are already eliminated, as well as the Blackwater Bossing with a 1-9 standing.

Here's what happened in the sixth week of the eliminations round of the ongoing 2023 PBA Governors Cup.

PBA Recap: Rain or Shine Elasto Painters vs Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters

The Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters officially eliminated the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the playoff contention, 114-106, on Wednesday, March 1. With the win, the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters boosted their spot in the playoffs of the season-ending conference.

Balanced scoring led to the victory of the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, with bench players Encho Serrano and RR Garcia scoring 17 points apiece to carry their team to its fourth victory.

Jason Perkins added 16 points and five rebounds as DuVaughn Maxwell was limited to another double-double performance of 15 points and 13 rebounds. Tyler Tio also contributed 14 points.

For the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, who played without an import, bench players Leonard Santillan and Norbert Torres took the mantle and led their team in a losing effort with 14 points apiece.

Beau Belga recorded 13 points, six rebounds, and five assists, while Rey Nambatac contributed 11 points and seven assists off the bench. Gian Mamuyac also made his presence felt with 10 points from the bench.

Rain or Shine Elasto Painters' original import Michael Qualls was replaced with Greg Smith II due to a lack of chemistry with the team following their dismal start of a 0-4 win-loss record.

In turn, Greg Smith II was replaced by Jordan Tolbert after he suffered a pulled hamstring in their game against the NLEX Road Warriors.

Unfortunately for the team, Jordan Tolbert was deemed ineligible to play since he was over the PBA height limit of 6'6" for imports. According to the PBA, Jordan Tolbert's height was 6'6" 1/8.

PBA Recap: Meralco Bolts vs Barangay Ginebra San Miguel

The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel outlasted the Meralco Bolts, 112-107, on Wednesday, March 1. With the win, the defending champions Barangay Ginebra San Miguel continue their run for the twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs.

Christian Standhardinger had a double-double performance of 31 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, while import Justin Brownlee recorded 29 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.

Jamie Malonzo contributed 16 points, while Nard Pinto and Jonathan Gray added 12 points apiece. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel's star playmaker Scottie Thompson was limited to seven points but dished out 10 assists to help his team win.

For the Meralco Bolts, import KJ McDaniels had another double-double with 28 points and 11 rebounds, while veteran Allein Maliksi recorded 23 points.

Chris Newsome contributed 15 points, while Norman Aaron Black added 14 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Cliff Hodge and Keir John Quinto both scored 10 points.

PBA Recap: Terrafirma Dyip vs NLEX Road Warriors

The NLEX Road Warriors boosted their twice-to-beat advantage contention with a win against the already-eliminated Terrafirma Dyip in a high-scoring affair, 142-125, on Thursday, March 2.

Celedonio Trollano, averaging 12.1 points, erupted for 44 big points. NLEX Road Warriors import Wayne Anthony Selden, Jr. had 38 points, six rebounds, and eight assists.

Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser had a double-double performance of 19 points and 12 rebounds, while team captain Kevin Alas contributed 15 points from the bench.

For the Terrafirma Dyip, Juami Tiongson scored a team-high 38 points and five rebounds, while Jordan Williams recorded another double-double performance of 29 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists.

Paul Cahilig almost had a double-double performance with 17 points, nine rebounds, and five assists, while Joseph Gabayni had a double-double performance of 13 points and 10 rebounds from the bench.

PBA Recap: Magnolia Chicken Timplado Hotshots vs NorthPort Batang Pier

The Magnolia Chicken TImplado Hotshots showed their dominance against the NorthPort Batang Pier, 129-109, on Thursday, March 2.

Magnolia Chicken Timplado Hotshots import Anthony Hester had another double-double performance of 28 points and 14 rebounds, while team captain Andy Marc Barroca added 21 points and dished out eight assists from the bench.

Rome Dela Rosa was also the spark from the bench with 19 points and six rebounds, while Calvin Abueva recorded a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds with five assists.

Paul Lee contributed 16 points, while Aris Dionisio added 15 points and tallied seven rebounds.

For the NorthPort Batang Pier, import Kevin Murphy and Robert Bolick were the lone bright spots for their team. Kevin Murphy had 31 points, six rebounds, and six assists, while Robert Bolick added 30 points and five assists.

Aside from the two, the only player to score in double digits for the Meralco Bolts was Joshua Munzon, with 11 points.

PBA Recap: Converge FiberXers vs Meralco Bolts

After losing to the defending champions Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, the Meralco Bolts quickly bounced back as they outlasted the Converge FiberXers, 132-129, in overtime on Friday, March 3.

Meralco Bolts import KJ McDaniels once again led his team with a double-double performance of 33 points and 12 rebounds, while Norman Aaron Black added 28 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.

Cliff Hodge had 18 points, five rebounds, and five assists, while team captain Raymond Almazan contributed 16 points from the bench. Kevin Quinto and Allein Maliksi added 12 points apiece, while Chris Newsome scored 11 points.

For the Converge FiberXers, import Jamaal Franklin erupted for a triple-double performance of 57 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists, while Maverick Ahanmisi once again provided the bench points for the team with 24 points and five rebounds.

Aside from Jamaal Franklin and Maverick Ahanmisi, Kevin Racal was the last player to score in double digits with 14 points.

PBA Recap: Barangay Ginebra San Miguel vs Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters

The defending champions Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, made quick work of the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, 109-89, on Friday, March 3.

For the second straight game, Christian Standhardinger once again led his team with a double-double performance of 28 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists, while import Justin Brownlee had his usual double-double performance of 18 points and 11 rebounds with six assists.

Scottie Thompson quickly bounced back from his bad game with 16 points, while Jamie Malonzo and Von Pessumal contributed 14 points apiece.

Aside from Christian Standhardinger and Justin Brownlee, bench player Jonathan Gray also had a double-double performance of 11 points and 11 rebounds.

For the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, import DuVaughn Maxwell was limited to 22 points and seven rebounds. Sean Manganti contributed 15 points and six rebounds, while Javee Mocon had 11 points, five rebounds, and six assists.

PBA Recap: Rain or Shine Elasto Painters vs. NorthPort Batang Pier

The NorthPort Batang Pier boosted their chance of playing in the playoffs as they officially eliminated the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters from the contention, 113-97, on Saturday, March 4.

NorthPort Batang Pier import Kevin Murphy was in his usual self, delivering a double-double performance of 39 points and 13 rebounds, while Paul Christian Zamar contributed 20 points and five rebounds.
Jeff Chan, John Michael Calma, and Robert Bolick had 11 points apiece, while team captain Arwind Santos added 10 points.

For the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, which once again played without an import, Leonard Santillan led the team with 17 points and seven rebounds, while bench players Anton Asistio and Nick Demusis contributed 14 points apiece.

Gian Mamuyac added 12 points, while Andrei Caracut had 10 points.

PBA Recap: Magnolia Chicken Timplado Hotshots vs Terrafirma Dyip

The Magnolia Chicken Timplado Hotshots survived the onslaught of the Terrafirma Dyip, 121-115, in overtime on Saturday, March 4.

It was just a typical night for Magnolia Chicken Timplado Hotshots Antonio Hester with his double-double performance of 40 points and 17 rebounds, while Calvin Abuenva also had a double-double performance of 16 points and 17 rebounds.

Paul Lee and Andy Marc Barroca contributed 16 points apiece, while Jio Jalalon almost had a triple-double of 13 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists.

For the Terrafirma Dyip, import Jordan Williams erupted for 45 points and seven rebounds, while Juami Tiongson provided much-needed support with 19 points.

Eric Camson contributed 11 points and nine rebounds, while team captain Alex Cabagnot added 10 points.

PBA Recap: Meralco Bolts vs Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters

The Meralco Bolts barely escaped the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, 92-86, on Sunday, March 5.

Meralco Bolts import KJ McDaniels had another double-double of 19 points and 16 rebounds, while Norman Aaron Black added 18 points and six rebounds.

Chris Banchero was the spark off the bench with 13 points, five rebounds, and five assists, while Cliff Hodge almost had a double-double performance of 12 points and nine rebounds.

For the side of the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, import DuVaugn Maxwell led the team with 29 points and nine rebounds, while Jason Perkins contributed 13 points and eight rebounds.

Aside from them, no other player of the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters scored in double digits.

PBA Recap: Converge FiberXers vs Barangay Ginebra San Miguel

The defending champions Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, defeated the Converge FiberXers, 120-101, on Sunday, March 5.

Jamie Malonzo led the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel with 29 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, while Justin Brownlee and Christian Standhardinger helped Jamie Malonzo carry the team to victory with double-double performances.

Justin Brownlee had 28 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, while Christian Standhardinger added 28 points and 12 rebounds.

Jonathan Gray recorded 16 points and five rebounds from the bench.

For the side of the Converge FiberXers, Maverick Ahanmisi carried the team with 24 points and eight rebounds, while team captain Jeron Teng added 12 points.

Justin Arana and Dave Murrell both scored 11 points, while Alex Stockton contributed 10 points.

Converge FiberXers import Jamaal Franklin was limited to four points, five rebounds, and five assists. According to sources, Jamaal Franklin had a tantrum after the coaches instructed him to "share the ball."

Although not yet confirmed, a different source revealed that the Converge FiberXers and the coaches had decided to release Jamaal Franklin as soon as possible ahead of the playoffs.