Things will not get any easier for the victor in the NorthPort-Terrafirma match in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup on Wednesday, May 8.
NorthPort and Terrafirma square off in their most important match in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup yet.
Toting identical 5-6 marks at joint eighth, the Batang Pier and the Dyip collide in a knockout battle for the last spot in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, May 8 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Game time is at 7:30 p.m.
NorthPort and Terrafirma both aim to display their winning form despite coming off contrasting outcomes in their respective closing games in the elimination round.
The thrilling 115-113 win over Blackwater was a test of character for NorthPort, which was reeling from a five-game losing skid entering the match.
[WATCH: PBA Game Highlights: NorthPort squeezes past Blackwater, fan playoff hopes]
To jack up their playoff chances, the Batang Pier had to douse a late Bossing uprising that turned a catch-up game into a nip-and-tuck battle.
NorthPort turned to budding superstar Arvin Tolentino in the final stretch who responded with the squad's last eight points to seal their fifth win.
Batang Pier will lean on Tolentino anew with their conference on the line.
[WATCH: PBA Player of the Game Highlights: Arvin Tolentino steadies NorthPort ship against Blackwater]
But the Dyip, aiming to clinch their second playoff appearance in franchise history, will not back down.
Though they were coming off a 108-100 loss to Magnolia, expect Terrafirma to go out with guns ablaze with guys like super rookie Stephen Holt and Juami Tiongson leading the charge.
Stephen Holt delivers the game-winning blow for Terrafirma in its first meeting with NorthPort this conference. | File photo (c) PBA
[ALSO READ: PBA: Remember the last time the Terrafirma franchise made the playoffs?]
But things would not get any easier for the victor, as the eighth-ranked team is set to clash against top seed San Miguel in the quarterfinals set to begin on Friday.
That will be tomorrow’s dilemma for either team, though. For now, they will set their focus on this Wednesday's do-or-die clash that will surely be one for the books.