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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Magnolia, NLEX dispute top spot

Magnolia, NLEX dispute top spot

Published Jun 5, 2025 12:57 pm  |  Updated Jun 5, 2025 01:16 pm

At A Glance

  • Magnolia and NLEX figure in a marquee duel as they dispute the leadership in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup standings on Friday, June 6, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Robert Bolick (PBA Images)
Robert Bolick (PBA Images)

Magnolia and NLEX figure in a marquee duel as they dispute the leadership in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup standings on Friday, June 6, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Entering the crucial stretch of the elimination and sharing the top spot so far with similar 7-2 records, the Hotshots and the Road Warriors not only aim to claim a solo lead but also to inch closer to securing one of the Top 4 spots which dangle a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.

And that’s exactly why the 7:30 p.m. affair is priming up to be an epic showdown between the two best teams so far in the conference. 

Serving as a fitting appetizer to the clash is the showdown between TNT, which is seeking a boost to its Top 4 bid, and Blackwater, which, on the other hand, is looking for a graceful exit to the conference.

Between the two top teams, however, NLEX proved to be the biggest surprise in the all-Filipino Cup especially with the rise of guys like Brandon Ramirez, Xyrus Torres and JB Bahio who emerged as able contributors to Robert Bolick and Javee Mocon.

Though their six-game winning run, which propelled them to the top of the standings, got halted by Meralco last week, the Road Warriors easily got back to the winning track with a 105-95 win over Phoenix.

Magnolia, on the other hand, is determined to stay at the top spot – a position it held for the entirety of the conference so far. 

The Hotshots even pulled the trigger on one of the biggest swaps before the trade deadline, sending veteran Calvin Abueva, seldom-used Jerrick Balanza and a future pick for NorthPort’s William Navarro.

Navarro’s debut, however, was marked by the second loss of Magnolia which it suffered at the hands of bitter rival Barangay Ginebra, 85-81, last Sunday.

A loss for either of the two teams could potentially hurt its chances of claiming the quarterfinals bonus especially with Ginebra, San Miguel and Rain or Shine also just lurking behind with similar 6-3 records.

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