Meralco head coach Luigi Trillo lamented not having a chance to get the last spot in the Top 4 and the twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals despite being tied with San Miguel and Ginebra from third to fifth spots in the standings.

The Bolts, the Kings and the Beermen ended the eliminations with similar 8-3 records but Meralco is the only team that is not getting the quarterfinals bonus due to inferior quotient.

The amiable mentor said it would be such a waste and a letdown being in a twice-to-win disadvantage despite being in a similar record with the ones above them.

“We always meet with Comm (Willie Marcial) and the coaches. We always try to find ways to improve officiating and the game, obviously, the governors have it but sa akin, ang sakit, you know, we are second place (and then) 3, 4, 5 and Ginebra wins, we are fifth,” said Trillo.

“With that being said, I’d like to see moving forward that 4 and 5 could be a knockout next time kasi pinaghirapan ng tatlong team,” he added.

Under current PBA rules, a knockout playoff game is only applied in case of a tie at the eighth and final playoff spot. For the case of the last spot in the Top 4 which dangles a quarterfinals bonus, quotient system is applied.

According to PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III, Meralco could be facing either Phoenix or Ginebra depending on the results of the final playdate of the eliminations. In both scenarios, the Bolts hold an inferior quotient with -24 in case of a three-way tie with SMB and Ginebra and -34 in an event of a four-way deadlock including Phoenix.

Trillo, though, stressed Meralco is not one to cry over spilled milk and they are already excited and ready to take on whoever opponent they face in the quarterfinals.

“We are ready, we are excited about the playoffs. Simply proud of these guys. the way they really stepped up with all the injuries and the import changes so proud na proud ako with the guys,” said Trillo.