Capital1 Solar Boys and Smart Sports Scribes formally clinched the coveted twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs after winning their respective matches in the 2024 Philippine Sportswriters Association Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Tuesday.

The Solar Boys showed no rust after the tournament's two-week break and delivered in the clutch for a 68-61 win over Say Chiz Smileys while the Smarts Sports Scribes fended off Strong Group Athletics to claim a 78-72 victory.

Capital1 and Smart now have identical 4-1 records heading into the final stretch of the tournament that is one of the projects of PSA president Nelson Beltran of The Philippine Star.

Clinging onto a 65-61 lead in the dying seconds of the fourth quarter, Aldo Aviñante and Jonash Dannug of Tiebreaker Times drained three out of four free throws to ice the game and seal the victory for the squad backed by Mandy and Milka Romero, Bulakan Mayor Vergel Meneses, Uratex and Rebel Sports.

John Bryan Ulanday of The Philippine Star spearheaded Capital1 with 16 points and six rebounds while Aviñante dropped 13 points, six rebounds and four assists.