Huge TNT and San Miguel wins in the final day of eliminations painted the complete picture of the 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup playoffs.

The face-off between the top seed and the No. 8 seed is always an interesting matchup in the quarterfinals. (PBA Images)

The Tropang Giga seized the top spot of the standings with a 10-1 record following a 114-105 victory over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings which capped off a blistering eight-game winning streak to end the eliminations.

The twice-to-beat TNT is set to face the No. 8 Phoenix which interestingly needed the help of Tropang Giga to formalize their entry into the Top 8. TNT, earlier in the week, defeated NorthPort, 134-110, which prevented the Batang Pier to catch the Fuel Masters at the eighth spot and force a do-or-die playoff for the last quarterfinals seat.

Landing at the second spot of the standings following 129-116 victory over Phoenix was San Miguel Beer which, just like TNT, will be armed with a twice-to-beat incentive against No.7 Converge.

In their elimination round meeting, the FiberXers defeated the Beermen 107-104 although the team was then spearheaded by high-scoring import Jamaal Franklin. Converge head coach Aldin Ayo was forced to pull the trigger on the changes following the NBA veteran’s tantrum in their final game which eventually cost them the chance to stay in hunt for the quarters bonus.

The defending champion Ginebra on the other hand will be faced against a dangerous NLEX team. The Kings defeated the Road Warriors in a tight contest 114-111 behind the effort of Justin Brownlee and Christian Standhardinger.

A lot has changed however since then with Wayne Selden Jr. who debuted during that game with 45 points, now more accustomed to coach Frankie Lim’s system and the tendency of his teammates.

In the last pairing in the quarterfinals, the twice-to-beat Meralco is facing an equally talented Magnolia. Both teams finished the eliminations with a 7-4 record along with the Road Warriors but the quarterfinals bonus landed on the hands of the Bolts due to their superior quotient.

Meralco narrowly won over Magnolia, 86-84, prompting head coach Norman Black to believe that there has been a brewing rivalry between the two proud franchises.