TWO teams. One quarterfinals slot.
The PBA Philippine Cup eliminations has come down to this as Northport and Terrafirma battle in a do-or-die match for the remaining playoffs berth in the season-ending conference.
The two teams finished with identical 5-6 records, but the Dyip own the head-to-head matchup behind a close 110-108 win in their lone elims encounter.
TEAM STANDINGS
San Miguel 10-1
Barangay Ginebra 7-4
Meralco 6-5
TNT 6-5
Rain or Shine 6-5
NLEX 6-5
Magnolia 6-5
Terrafirma 5-6
NorthPort 5-6
Blackwater 4-7
Phoenix 3-8
Converge 2-9
A look on the final battle for the No. 8 quarterfinals berth
NORTHPORT vs. TERRAFIRMA
When: May 8, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Watch: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live
TOO CLOSE TO CALL
The Dyip won their head-to-head match by the skin of their teeth, with top rookie pick Stephen Holt scoring on the game-winner with three seconds remaining. The Batang Pier went to Arvin Tolentino for the game-tying basket, but his attempt was blocked by rookie big man Kemark Carino to preserve the win for Terrafirma.
DYIP TRY AGAIN
Derailed the last time, the Dyip try again to make their first playoffs appearance since 2016. Terrafirma was denied in its first attempt, dropping a 108-100 loss to Magnolia.
HOLT vs FLORES
The lone game at the NAS will feature the top two players vying for the Rookie of the Year. No. 1 overall pick Holt battles fellow first-round selection Cade Flores. Holt is looking to make the playoffs for the first time ever, while Flores suited up in his first quarterfinals in the last Commissioner’s Cup where the Batang Pier were eliminated by the Barangay Ginebra Kings. For the conference, Holt averaged 20.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 6.2 assists, while Flores is submitting numbers of 9.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists.
NORTHPORT HOPES TO LIVE UP TO EXPECTATIONS
A lot was expected from the Batang Pier especially after a 4-1 start. But the team went on a sudden spiral and lost five straight games to fall on the brink of eliminations. Northport managed to cling on to dear life and eventually earned a playoff for the last quarterfinals berth following a close 115-113 win over Blackwater in a game where they lost a 19-point lead and rallied from a six-point deficit inside the final two minutes.
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