PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup quarters begin: Who will survive?

Libert Ong
16.06.2025

As the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 49 Philippine Cup playoffs begin, eight teams remain in contention for a spot in the Final Four.

The teams competing in the quarterfinal round are the San Miguel Beermen (8-3), NLEX Road Warriors (8-3), Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots (8-3), Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (8-3), Converge FiberXers (7-4), TNT Tropang 5G (6-5), Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (6-5), and Meralco Bolts (6-5).

PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup

Quarter Finals Schedule

First to battle will be the top-seeded Beermen, who hold a twice-to-beat advantage against the defending champions, the Meralco Bolts.

San Miguel may have faced some tough days during the elimination round, but they peaked at the right time to clinch the top spot in the standings. Now, they have a golden opportunity to dethrone the reigning champions.

Meanwhile, the Bolts started strong by winning their first two assignments but endured a roller-coaster ride in the latter part of their campaign. With a twice-to-win disadvantage, their title defense hangs in the balance.

Meralco might have the heart of a champion and won’t give up until the very end—but the Beermen may simply be too much to handle, as seen in their elimination round match-up, where SMB won 110-98.

Prediction: San Miguel will win in their first match-up and won’t allow Meralco to force a do-or-die game. However, if the Bolts manage to extend the series, expect a close contest.

Next is the second-seeded NLEX versus seventh-seeded Rain or Shine, with the Road Warriors enjoying the twice-to-beat advantage.

This match-up promises intrigue, as the Road Warriors surprised many by emerging as one of the top teams at the end of the elimination round, while the Elasto Painters are known for their grit and competitive spirit.

Both teams are led by respected mentors—Jong Uichico for NLEX and Yeng Guiao for RoS. They may have contrasting coaching styles, but both are known for their ability to make smart in-game adjustments and bring out the best in their players.

NLEX may rely heavily on Robert Bolick, but recent games have seen other names stepping up, making them more dangerous heading into the playoffs. Meanwhile, RoS benefits from an equal distribution of minutes among players, which makes them unpredictable game after game.

Prediction: NLEX is expected to win in their first encounter. This was foreshadowed in the elimination round, where they defeated RoS 109-95. But if the Elasto Painters force a rubber match, they must capitalize on their veteran presence against a younger opponent.

Next is a clash between two long-time rivals—third-seeded Magnolia and sixth-seeded TNT. The Hotshots enter with a twice-to-beat edge, earned through an 88-83 win in their final elimination game against the Tropang Giga.

Magnolia is determined to return to the Finals and capture their first title since 2018. TNT, however, has historically been a thorn in their side during playoff encounters and remains determined to stay alive and chase their first-ever Grand Slam.

In their elimination meeting, it was a tight contest until veteran Rafi Reavis proved his value, showing why he's still active at 47 years old. TNT, though, can take solace in knowing they were without big man Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser that night due to a one-game suspension following a Flagrant Foul Penalty 2 in their previous game against Ginebra.

Prediction: Magnolia will advance immediately if they bring intensity and hunger in their first game. But if TNT forces a Game 2, expect them to come out swinging, especially given Magnolia's history of losing momentum and series leads.

Finally, the fourth-seeded and crowd-favorite Barangay Ginebra takes on the fifth-seeded, youthful Converge squad.

The Gin Kings hold several advantages in this series: they have the winningest coach in PBA history, a Finals-experienced roster, and a passionate fan base that rallies behind them even in adversity. Highlights like Japeth Aguilar's powerful slams and RJ Abarrientos' flashy assists exemplify the squad’s dynamic play.

But don’t count out Converge. They have fearless young guns in Alec Stockton, Justin Arana, Justine Baltazar, and Schonny Winston. And what if their gamble pays off with the Jordan Heading trade, especially if two-time Finals MVP Mikey Williams finally returns to the PBA?

Prediction: Despite their close standings, Ginebra is expected to dominate, just like in their 85-66 win during the elimination round. But if Williams suits up, this series could take a dramatic turn.