2020 PBA Philippine Cup Bubble Updated Schedule – Elimination Round

Here is the updated 2020 PBA Philippine Cup schedule of games after its initial list got scrapped to follow IATF and DOH protocols to make sure all players and staff are safe inside the bubble set in Angeles City, Pampanga against COVID-19.

Below is the new and full list of game schedule as the league resumes its elimination round.

Earlier one of the league representatives reiterated that the PBA bubble continues to be a safe haven for all of the league officials, staff, and players.

“We would like to reiterate that the PBA bubble has not been breached, but we must always strengthen our protocols in consultation with the IATF and NTF (National Task Force) to ensure the safety of everyone in the bubble.”

In the updated schedule, most probably it will be the first time that the league will feature four games in just one day. This is the situation for the majority of the days until they reach the playoffs. Still, there are days that the league will only have its usual double-header matches.

Before the tournament went to its another forced break, it was the TNT Tropang Giga (5-1) dominated the top spot though they’re coming from their first defeat versus its sister-team, the NLEX Road Warriors. The Tropang Giga’s winning momentum got halted as some of their scheduled games got postponed prior to their duel against the squad coached by Yeng Guiao.

The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters was in a close second with a record of 4-1
and fresh from their victory against the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel which fell to the third spot having a 4-2 slate.

Tied with the Gin Kings is the defending champion, the San Miguel Beermen. The squad of coach Leo Austria seems like found new winning chemistry minus June Mar Fajardo and Terrence Romeo who are both out due to their respective injuries.

Speaking about winning chemistry, head coach Jeff Cariaso also employed their own secret recipe as they now enjoyed a 5-3 card while riding on their two-game winning streak momentum.

Probably one of the biggest news this year in the PBA with or without the COVID-19 is the return of the “Beast” in the hardcourt of the first professional basketball league in Asia. Though his return is still a work in progress yet Calvin Abueva demonstrated his tenacity in the game. Remember, with Abueva in the team, the Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters owned the number one spot after the elimination round during the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup.

For Meralco Bolts, though they’re having a rollercoaster ride in this year’s All-Filipino Cup yet their 3-3 card looks promising compared to previous editions of the Philippine Cup. Their chances to reach the quarterfinals round looks like a sureball, according to the league’s stats master, a team only needed five wins to secure a slot going to the second round of the competition.

Newly appointed Blackwater Elite head coach Nash Racela brought a new style of strategy and that’s their surprise second-half offense to shock their opponent. In their three initial games, the Elite logged an average of 30+ points in the third quarter and puts their opponent wandering for answers, since there is no longer time for half-time huddle the opposing squad succumbed to a defeat. However, in their past three outings, that style of play seems like no longer working as Blackwater absorbed a three-game losing skid. The Elite still has an ample amount of games left and for sure those needed patches are already in place for them to return to the winning tracks.

The second runner-up of last year’s All-Filipino Finals seems like in trouble if you stare at their 2-4 card. Yet, the squad of head coach Chito Victolero is just warming up, Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok last victim was one of the current tournament big-fish. Not only that, they were the squad that gave the league-favorite Gin Kings its first loss for the season.

Similar to the Hotshots, the NLEX Road Warriors win-loss card also looks deceiving at 2-5. Though they’re at the bottom part of the standings, the boys of coach Guiao knew how to slay the league-leading Tropang Giga.

After their four tries finally, the NorthPort Batang Pier tasted their first victory inside the PBA bubble in AUF Arena. With six games left in their menu, the troops of head coach Pido Jarencio must be now itching to make a comeback and consider their remaining matches as “do-or-die”.

Terrafirma Dyip is the only remaining team in the league this conference which is still win-less. They still have six remaining outings and with that, they still have a shot going to the next round.