Last evening, we placed our bets on Game 6 of the 2021-2022 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals thinking Barangay Ginebra San Miguel would beat the spread and beat the Meralco Bolts to win the championship.
The Finals had already stretched out to two weeks of intrigue, and we were ready for our ship to come in.
But after a year of delays – actually, after two years of delays – things were delayed again. Only this time, the delay wasn’t due to the coronavirus.
Instead, Game 6 was postponed due to a fire that broke out in the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. The blaze – which occurred around noon (roughly six hours before tipoff) – was quickly contained, but the venue couldn’t be ventilated in time for the contest.
So, Game 6 has been rescheduled for April 22 (6:00 PM, One Sports), and it will be contested at the Mall of Asia Arena. Meanwhile, Game 7 – which, according to the betting odds, should be necessary – is currently TBA.
Here’s how BetOnline Sportsbook has Game 6 shaping up:
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel vs. Meralco Bolts – Game 6 Odds
- Straight: Barangay Ginebra San Miguel -110, Meralco Bolts -110
- Spread: Meralco Bolts -1.5
- Over/Under: 186.5
As you can see, the Bolts have a slight edge on the spread, but the teams are dead even on the straight moneyline. That’s because, despite leading the series three games to two, Barangay Ginebra has not convincingly dominated the Bolts.
In fact, by total aggregate points, neither team has dominated, as both have scored exactly 474 points through the first five games.
While it was a surprise to see the 4-seed and the 6-seed advance to the Governors’ Cup Finals, it’s been even more of a surprise that the championship series has been this evenly matched and competitive.
As fans, we love that. As bettors, well, maybe not so much…
At any rate, we had our bets in for this one last night, and we don’t think the delay will hurt either club. We took Barangay Ginebra and the points on Tuesday night, and we’ll take them both on Friday night, too.
Hey, we can’t complain about a brief extension to our Philippine basketball betting season, after all.
Interestingly, the fire that delayed the Governors’ Cup also caused the delay of the Grand Finals of the second conference of the 2021-2022 PBA 3X3 basketball season, though no legal online sportsbooks are currently offering odds on these contests.
Maybe that’s why we didn’t even know this thing was happening.
Well, as usual, the team names are amusing as ever (especially for westerners whose leagues don’t have the same fun team/sponsor relationships for their local clubs).
Here’s how the 2021-2022 PBA 3×3 second conference finished up through the Finals:
- Limitless Appmasters – 450 points
- TNT Tropang Giga – 435 points
- Meralco Bolts 3×3 – 395 points
- San Miguel Beermen – 380 points
- Pioneer Pro Tibay – 277 points
- Barangay Ginebra San Miguel – 267 points
- Platinum Karaoke – 266 points
- Purefoods TJ Titans – 238 points
- Sista Super Sealers – 180 points
- Terrafirma 3×3 – 136 points
- Cavitex Braves – 133 points
- Master Sardines Fishing Champs – 109 points
- NorthPort Batang Pier – 94 points
The teams above in bold advanced to the 3×3 Grand Finals prelims. Of them, the top four teams received an automatic bid to the round of eight, while the bottom six teams played a round-robin qualifier.
Pool A of the round-robin saw the Super Sealers and Pioneer Pro Tibay advance (the TJ Titans were knocked out), while Pool B – which includes Barangay Ginebra, Terrafirma, and Platinum Karaoke – has yet to be decided.
That’s where we are now, and then its on to the quarterfinals!
We just wish the best Philippine sports betting sites would get on board with 3×3 basketball…