While NLEX is a full stride ahead of Blackwater in their race for the last quarterfinals spot, the Road Warriors are not leaving anything to chance and determined to end the eliminations on a high note against the Barangay Ginebra Kings in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, Sept.22.

With the the Bossing keeping in step with the Road Warriors after manhandling the import-less San Miguel Beermen, NLEX now needs nothing but a victory against the Kings in their 7:30 p.m. affair to formally nail the quarters spot and avoid any more complications.

Setting up the table for the clash is a match between TNT and Terrafirma at 5 p.m.

Even if it has no bearing with the Tropang Giga already securing the top seed of Group A and the Dyip now out of contention, it still holds significant impact on their momentum as they move on to the next chapters of their franchises – the playoffs for TNT and ending the conference on a high note for Terrafirma.

The Road Warriors (4-5) put on a world of pressure to the Bossing (3-5) after it won, 104-79, over the Phoenix Fuel Masters on Friday, Sept. 20. A loss for Blackwater against Rain or Shine or another win for NLEX would formalize their entry to the quarters. In any event of a tie between the two teams, the NLEX holds the advantage by virtue of its +6 point differential. 

Still, head coach Jong Uichico is not the one to be complacent.

“Alam naman natin that Blackwater is capable. Maganda naman yung lineup nila, maganda naman yung team nila so capable sila of winning two games,” said Uichico whose NLEX can only miss the quarters if they lose their game against Ginebra and Blackwater sweeps its remaining two games.

“Di naman pwede naming ma-discount yung fact na they have a shot getting into the quarterfinals if they win their both games so kami we did our job today but we need to do our job again on Sunday,” he added.

With the quarterfinals seat at stake, Robert Bolick and import DeQuan Jones are expected to lead the charge for the team especially against a playoff-bound Ginebra. 

The game still has a bearing to the Kings as their position in the Top 4 and their quarterfinals opponents are yet to be determined. 

Ginebra can still fall to as low as third spot in Group B which would pit it against Meralco from Group A. Finishing first or second, meanwhile, could put them in collision course with either Magnolia or Converge.