There was no sweep of the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup elimination round -- and everybody except for San Miguel Beermen can thank Meralco Bolts for that.
The Bolts' takedown of the Beermen didn't do anything to drag down the latter from the top spot, but it did boost the former all the way to the third seed.
And that's not the only shakeup the order heading into the quarterfinals.
Here, we assess all the decisive moves of the eliminations in our final power rankings -- with an 8th seed playoff still to come before the quarters tip off.
1. Meralco Bolts (6-5)
Coming all the way from a 1-4 record, Meralco won five of its last six to clinch the third seed out of the blue and face NLEX Road Warriors.
Their most recent victory was their most convincing yet, as well, as they dealt the first defeat of San Miguel in a nip-and-tuck affair.
Most definitely, the Bolts are energized right now -- and if they can continue to find a way even without injured key player Aaron Black, then they'll be a problem come the quarterfinals.
2. San Miguel Beermen (10-1)
San Miguel couldn't complete the elimination round sweep that was just one win away. But truth be told, that was already a no-bearing game for the Beermen who were locked into the top seed -- and already armed with the twice-to-beat advantage that comes along with it -- whatever the result.
That three-point loss to Meralco notwithstanding, the defending champion remains the team-to-beat in the All-Filipino conference.
3. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (6-5)
Rain or Shine has only dropped one game out of its last seven, and they wrapped up their elimination-round assignments with an impressive 16-point rout of NLEX, who boast the Best Player of the Conference frontrunner in Robert Bolick.
Even better, the Elasto Painters have done all of it in the trademark Yeng Guiao manner: getting contributions from anywhere and everywhere the roster, with Shaun Ildenfonso looking like his legendary father Danny quite a bit as of late.
4. Barangay Ginebra (7-4)
Thanks to a dominant end to the elimination round, triumphing in four out of five contests, Ginebra scored the second seed and the playoff incentive it brings.
It all doesn't seem much of a prize, though, as awaiting them in the next round is a Manila Clasico matchup opposite archrival Magnolia Hotshots.
5. NLEX Road Warriors (6-5)
Bolick and NLEX just had to down Ginebra to be able to stay alive and kicking in the All-Filipino.
Bolick and NLEX did just that, gutting out a four-point win to arrest an untimely four-game slide that derailed what-was-once an impressive 5-1 start.
6. TNT Tropang Giga (6-5)
TNT enters its quarterfinals pairing against Rain or Shine as a team still in search of consistency -- and truth be told, identity.
But counting out coach Chot Reyes, Jayson Castro, and rising star Calvin Oftana will always be a no-no.
7. Magnolia Hotshots (6-5)
Magnolia was standing strong at the top half of the standings not that long ago, only to drop three of its last four and drop to the 7th seed.
To advance, the Hotshots will have to go through fierce foe Ginebra not just once, but twice in a row.
8-9. Terrafirma Dyip (5-6) and NorthPort Batang Pier (5-6)
Terrafirma and NorthPort's fates are intertwined, as the two teams standing at 5-6 will wage war for the last playoff berth on Wednesday.
While the Dyip got the better of the Batang Pier in their elimination round meeting just half a month ago, NorthPort will still be able to boast of having the best player on the floor in the form of Arvin Tolentino.
10. Converge FiberXers (2-10)
Converge will no longer be playing this season and is already looking ahead to whom to pick first overall in the upcoming draft.
Still, once losers of 12 games in a row dating back to the previous conference, the FiberXers managed to win two of their last three, with playoff teams Meralco and TNT their victims during that spoiling stretch.
11-12. Blackwater Bossing (4-7) and Phoenix Fuel Masters (3-8)
Nothing else to add for Blackwater and Phoenix who both bow out of contention despite having high hopes early in the conference.
The Fuel Masters were coming off a stellar semifinal finish in the Commissioner's Cup last February, while the Bossing rang off three wins in a row to open the All-Filipino.
Now, the two of them will just have to turn their attention to draft preparations.