An all-Filipino NorthPort team is expected to fight for its dear life when it takes on fellow playoff-chasing Magnolia in the contest whose outcome would greatly affect the quarterfinals picture in Group A of the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Friday, Sept. 20.

The Batang Pier, with their backs against the wall, enter the contest against the Hotshots set at 7:30 p.m. in a do-or-die situation.

NorthPort, currently clinging to the fifth spot in Group A with a 3-5 record, is hoping to live to fight for another day as a loss would mean an outright elimination from the playoff race.

Should Magnolia win, the Hotshots, currently at the fourth spot with a 4-4 slate, will clinch a spot in the Group A Top 4 along with third-running Converge. In that event, both the Hotshots and the FiberXers will be at a similar 5-4 slate – a record that would be out of reach for the Batang Pier, who, by then, would be at a 3-6 record with only one game left in its schedule.

If NorthPort wins, though, it would remain in contention by catching Magnolia at a similar 4-5 slate at the fourth spot and just half a game behind the idle Converge (5-4).

And that’s why it’s only imperative for the Batang Pier, who will be missing the services of import Venky Jois due an achilles injury, to bring their A-game against Magnolia and survive for another game.

Much of the load now falls on the shoulder of its main man Arvin Tolentino, although support from other players like William Navarro, Joshua Munzon, and Fran Yu would be a huge lift against the Hotshots who will be bannered by import Shabazz Muhammad.

Magnolia, for one, wouldn’t simply let the chance to immediately barge into the quarterfinals and avoid complications slip out of his hands. The Hotshots won over the Batang Pier, 105-94, in the first round with Jois also out of commission then due to an ankle injury.

In a similar situation, meanwhile, is NLEX which will take on the also-ran Phoenix in the first game at 5 p.m. to boost its own quarters bid.

The Road Warriors are in a marathon with the Blackwater Bossing for the last seat in the quarterfinals in Group B. Both of them sport a 3-5 slate and a win could be a huge boost for NLEX especially that it holds +9 differential against Blackwater in case of a tie in the standings.

Out to play the spoiler role, however, are the Fuel Masters (1-8). who are not only looking to also drag the Road Warriors into the grave but also aiming to at least have a graceful exit to the conference.