The cast for the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals is finalized. The lone team left in the lower half of the standings, vying for a postseason berth, was officially eliminated by NLEX’s 105-95 victory over Phoenix.

In the main game of Sunday’s doubleheader, Barangay Ginebra defeated Magnolia 85-81 in a comeback, moving them up to No. 4 in the upper part of the bracket.

The Hotshots suffered their second defeat in nine games as a result of the defeat, while the Kings improved to 6-3. They and the Road Warriors are now tied for first place.

With its fourth consecutive defeat, Phoenix dropped to 2-7, but they still have two games left in the conference that ends the season.

Three key points from the Smart Araneta Coliseum twinbill are listed here.

INJURIES AFFECTING NLEX

Due to the injuries of Dominic Fajardo, Mike Miranda, Richie Rodgers, Enoch Valdez, and Dave Marcelo, the Road Warriors only used nine players in their matchup with the Fuel Masters. Nevertheless, San Beda teammates Javee Mocon, Robert Bolick, and JB Bahio scored 58 of the team’s 105 points between them, and NLEX was sufficient to defeat Phoenix. Anthony Semerad, another former Bedan, contributed 14 points on the NLEX franchise’s red-letter day.

GINEBRA WITH MAV AHANMISI FOR A BIT 

Due to a sprained knee, the seasoned guard has been sidelined for a considerable amount of time, but it is anticipated that he will return during the playoffs. Although he has resumed his practice, Ahanmisi has not been performing any contact work.

ZAV LUCERO AND WILLIAM NAVARRO REUNION AT MAGNOLIA

After a brief reunion at Northport—just a conference, to be precise—during the previous Philippine Cup, the big men’s team is back together. Lucero missed the season-opening Commissioner’s Cup due to an ACL injury. Then, before Season 49 began, Lucero was transferred to the Hotshots for Abu Tratter and Jio Jalalon. After two conferences, Navarro was transferred to the Purefoods team in exchange for Jerrick Balanza, Calvin Abueva, and a potential second-round pick. The two then combined for 21 points and 12 rebounds on 8 of 20 shots from the field in their first game back together. Unfortunately, Magnolia lost the match.

Meanwhile, it is not yet confirmed that Mikey Williams will play in the PBA wearing a Converge uniform. After the player’s lengthy and acrimonious dispute with TNT, he was traded to the FiberXers, who now possess his rights; however, the issue of compensation has not yet been resolved.

Williams was exiled for more than two years because of this issue, the question of how much he should be paid. The Fil-Am’s basketball career was in limbo until Monday, when the PBA approved the contract that also sent Jordan Heading to TNT.

Converge has now taken up the negotiations with William, who some TNT sources claimed was “asking for the moon” prior to their talks collapsing, and the only thing on the table was his signing rights.

Converge is rushing to recruit the 33-year-old Williams, who has been hiding in his Los Angeles lair waiting to weigh the offer from the new PBA team. It will soon be revealed if Converge will give Williams the “moon” plus other planets.

No less than club owner Dennis Anthony Uy will lead the negotiations, according to Converge team governor Archen Cayabyab. They intend to move quickly in the hopes of getting him into the playoffs, if at all feasible.

PBA teams have until June 16 at noon to alter their playoff rosters, which is why there is such a rush.

Williams shared an Instagram story of himself working out after the TNT and Converge deal was announced, maybe to reassure his new team that he was healthy and prepared to play.

The No. 4 pick in the 2020 draft, Williams, has not yet been contacted by the team, according to Cayabyab, especially since the deal was just formally announced on Monday.