NorthPort and Converge, two teams jockeying for position in Group A, take on separate foes on Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium with the results could be making serious implications to their respective playoff hopes.

The two teams are in a deadlock with similar 3-4 records at the fourth to fifth spots in Group A and a win should be a big boost to their respective playoff drives. Only the Top 4 team advances to the quarterfinals.

The Batang Pier, who hold the point differential advantage against the FiberXers in case of a tie in the standings, are taking on the Meralco Bolts in the opening game at 5 p.m. while Converge tangles against the still winless but dangerous Terrafirma in the second offering at 7:30 p.m.

Of the two, NorthPort seemed to have the heavier assignment with Meralco not only sitting second in the standings with a 5-2 slate but is also raring to get back on track after relinquishing the pole position to TNT following its 108-99 loss on Thursday, Sept. 12.

History is also not on the side of the Batang Pier as they lost against the Bolts in their first meeting, 109-99, with Meralco’s defense clamping down on NorthPort import Venky Jois who was then limited to just six points and five rebounds.

Arvin Tolentino should be at the forefront of the attack for NorthPort along with a potent cast that included William Navarro, Joshua Munzon and Cade Flores although Meralco is as equally formidable with import Allen Durham leading the charge along with Bong Quinto, Chris Newsome and Chris Banchero.

Over at the second game, the FiberXers are not taking the Dyip lightly as, despite playing without its stars, managed to push a complete Magnolia Hotshots to the limits and only lost by a point, 99-98.

Converge, for its part, is coming off a morale-boosting 107-99 win over NorthPort to snap a three-game slide and stay in the hunt for a quarters spot.

With import Scotty Hopson playing through a leg injury, the local crew composed of Alec Stockton, Schonny Winston and Justin Arana should bring their A-game to get the much-needed win and keep in step with the rest of the teams in Group A.