It’s a test of guts and resolve as Magnolia and NLEX battle for the remaining quarterfinals ticket in a sudden-death match in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Sunday, Feb. 2.

Tied with similar 6-6 records at eighth to ninth spots at the end of their respective 12-game elimination schedules, the Hotshots and the Road Warriors leave it all out one more time in the thrilling contest that tips off at 7:30 p.m.

Nothing but a dogfight is expected from both squads especially with their last meeting going the distance with Magnolia coming out on top in overtime, 99-95, over NLEX.

And with both squads struggling in the middle of the conference before experiencing some sort of resurgence in their last few games, the two teams are surely doing everything it can to finally barge into the Top 8.

“Two weeks ago, we were on the brink of elimination pero ngayon may tsansa (to make the quarterfinals), so we'll take this," said NLEX coach Jong Uichico whose Road Warriors ended up in the do-or-die match after Rain or Shine’s 106-96 victory over TNT last Friday, Jan. 31.

Still, it is a good position to be in considering the Road Warriors could have exited the race early after dropping five-straight games in the eliminations before finally getting their groove with three-straight victories – a momentum that NLEX is surely riding on heading into the crucial match.

But the Hotshots are no pushovers.

Like NLEX, Magnolia has struggled with consistency in the eliminations before a fit-again Ricardo Ratliffe spearheaded the Hotshots’ resurgence where they won four of their last five games to keep themselves in a playoff hunt.

"We're grateful to be given a chance na makapaglaro for No. 8 and ginagrab lang namin ang opportunity," said Magnolia's Chito Victolero.

"I'm proud and thankful of the players sa lahat ng effort nila. Trinabaho nila ito sa practice; we're practicing like game-day situation so talagang deserving nila na nandito kami (playoff for No. 8)," he added.

Of course, the matchup between Ratliffe and NLEX import Mike Watkins should take the spotlight while Magnolia’s defense led by Mark Barroca should also be ready to put the clamps on the high-scoring Robert Bolick.

The benefit of rest, however, should be on the side of NLEX which last played last Wednesday while Magnolia is only having a day to prepare and recover.

“Kailangan lang namin pag-usapan tomorrow on what is the game plan, kung sino man yung mga kalaban namin. Important pa rin yung recover ng body ng mga players kasi one day preparation lang,” said Victolero.

“Laban na yan,” he added.