Three teams are now formally out of contention, and there’s only one playoff spot to contest in the 2022-23 PBA Governors’ Cup. Also, the two twice-to-beat advantage slots are still up for grabs, so there’s still a lot to play for in the next game days. Let’s look at how the teams stack up as the eliminations stage of the conference comes to a close.

1. TNT Tropang Giga (8-1)

Offensive Rating: 118.6 (2nd) | Defensive Rating: 110.2 (5th) 

TNT will be back from EASL duties on March 15 to face a desperate NorthPort squad. By then, there’s a possibility that RR Pogoy, who is norming 20.3 points on 68.5% True Shooting (56/51/68 shooting splits), might be back from the ankle injury he’s currently nursing. TNT needs its full weaponry when they go up against a streaking Ginebra squad on March 17, a crucial game that might dictate the playoff positioning at the top half of the standings.

Remaining schedule: NorthPort, Ginebra

2. Barangay Ginebra (7-2)

Offensive Rating: 121.4 (1st) | Defensive Rating: 113.7 (8th)

Ginebra is rolling, thanks in big part to the tremendous work that Christian Standhardinger is recently putting in. During Ginebra’s current four-game winning streak, Standhardinger is tearing it up with numbers of 28.5 points (69.2% FG), 10.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists. Standhardinger and the Gin Kings are still in the running for a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals if they sweep their remaining two assignments.

Remaining schedule: Terrafirma, TNT

3. San Miguel Beermen (7-2)

Offensive Rating: 116.7 (4th) | Defensive Rating: 107.2 (1st)

Can June Mar Fajardo recover in time for San Miguel’s matchup with NLEX on March 15? Fajardo sustained a knee injury during SMB’s first game in the EASL, and reports say that the former MVP will also miss out on the All-Star festivities. The Beermen are having a tremendous campaign so far, especially on defense. But they need Fajardo to be fully healthy to have a stronger shot at a twice-to-beat advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

Remaining schedule: NLEX, Rain or Shine

4. Magnolia Hotshots (6-4)

Offensive Rating: 116.9 (3rd) | Defensive Rating: 107.6 (2nd)

Magnolia has won six of their last seven games, and they’re looking like a true championship contender this conference. The Hotshots are the only team that ranks at least in the Top 3 in both offensive rating and defensive rating. A player to watch for in this Magnolia squad is Mark Barroca, who has fulfilled a sixth-man role by averaging north of 17 points in the last seven games.

Remaining Schedule: Blackwater

5. Meralco Bolts (7-4)

Offensive Rating: 112.6 (8th) | Defensive Rating: 107.9 (3rd)

Meralco finished their elimination schedule with a decent 7-4 record and a third-ranked defensive rating. The consistent play of Aaron Black has been great for the Bolts, and there’s also the fact that the team will enter the quarterfinals with a fully healthy roster. With no games left on their schedule, Meralco has at least two weeks of rest before they return to playoff action.

Remaining schedule: No games left on elimination schedule

6. NLEX Road Warriors (7-3)

Offensive Rating: 116.4 (5th) | Defensive Rating: 112.9 (7th)

Don Trollano grabbed the spotlight with his 44-point outburst in a high-scoring win against Terrafirma. NLEX will need more of Trollano’s exploits, as they finish their eliminations schedule against an SMB squad also gunning for a twice-to-beat incentive.

Remaining schedule: San Miguel

7. Phoenix Super LPG (4-7)

Offensive Rating: 107.9 (10th) | Defensive Rating: 110.1 (4th)

The close loss to Meralco was a bummer for Phoenix, as they needed just one more win to secure the last seat in the playoffs. Still, this has been a decent finishing kick for the Fuel Masters’ elims campaign, particularly with how they improved on the defensive end. Now, they just need a NorthPort loss to book a playoff ticket.

Remaining schedule: No games left on elimination schedule

8. Converge FiberXers (6-5)

Offensive Rating: 115.1 (7th) | Defensive Rating: 111.6 (6th)

Converge’s lopsided loss to Ginebra was very tough to watch, as it unraveled the FiberXers’ campaign. Jamaal Franklin might or might not be on his way out, but the fact remains that Converge lost their last three games. The bright spot here is that Maverick Ahanmisi is still producing tremendous numbers, and he might take on an even bigger responsibility if the FiberXers indeed part ways with Franklin.

Remaining schedule: No games left on elimination schedule

9. NorthPort Batang Pier (3-7)

Offensive Rating: 115.4 (6th) | Defensive Rating: 122.5 (12th)

NorthPort took care of the games they were supposed to win, emerging victorious against the hapless Blackwater and the import-less Rain or Shine. However, NorthPort’s next obstacle is the biggest one yet, as they need to win against TNT to earn a knockout game with Phoenix for the last remaining playoff ticket.

Remaining schedule: TNT

10. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (2-8)

Offensive Rating: 106.8 (12th) | Defensive Rating: 115.8 (9th)

Import issues piled up more problems for the Elasto Painters, as they now find themselves booted out of playoff contention in the Governors’ Cup. We might see a roster shakeup in the Rain or Shine camp soon, especially if they want to address their lack of consistent scoring threat on offense and rim protection on defense.

Remaining schedule: San Miguel

11. Terrafirma Dyip (2-8)

Offensive Rating: 111.4 (9th) | Defensive Rating: 121.7 (10th)

Though they still have one more game against Ginebra, the conference is officially over for Terrafirma. Isaac Go might be returning from an ACL injury layoff next season, but Terrafirma has to address the holes on their roster, particularly on defense.

Next two games: Ginebra

12. Blackwater Bossing (1-9)

Offensive Rating: 107.0 (11th) | Defensive Rating: 122.1 (11th)

It’s difficult to find a silver lining in Blackwater’s campaign in the Governor’s Cup. They were atrocious on both ends of the floor, and the decline in Baser Amer’s production hurt them even more. Unless they do a roster shakeup inclined to their advantage (and hold on to their draft picks), Blackwater will just continue to languish in the bottom of the standings for the conferences to come.

Next two games: Magnolia