The Magic 8 in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup is finally complete but the actual playoff picture remains a puzzle.

And that’s exactly why both the quarterfinals-bound Meralco and Rain or Shine are entering Friday's double-header with the intent of gaining the much-needed momentum at the expense of already eliminated foes at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Friday, May 8.

For the Elasto Painters, who already hold a twice-to-beat advantage, a victory against the Titan Ultra Giant Risers in the main event at 7:30 p.m. would give them confidence heading into the playoffs especially after dropping three of their last four games.

“We’re in, but we’re not satisfied with how we’ve been playing,” said ROS head coach Yeng Guiao. “The twice-to-beat is there, but it means nothing if we go to the quarters out of sync. This game is about getting our rhythm back.”

ROS hasn’t been the same since its 7-0 start and that’s largely due to injuries with heady guard Felix Lemetti and rookie Jun Roque both going down with respective knee injuries.

The motivation for the Bolts, on the other hand, is entirely different as they hope to lock in on the last twice-to-beat spot against the Terrafirma Dyip in the opening game at 5:15 p.m.

Sitting at the fourth spot with a 7-3 record, a win would secure them the twice-to-beat edge although head coach Luigi Trillo isn’t putting much pressure on his wards.

“One game at a time. We’re locked in on Terrafirma,” said Trillo.

Both playoff teams, however, agree on one thing — they cannot let their guards down against teams that are playing without any kind of pressure. And they don’t need to look back far in the past to get an example after the also-ran Macau denied Phoenix a chance at the Top 4 just last Wednesday.

“They’re dangerous because they have no pressure,” Guiao warned. “We can’t relax. We need to treat this like a playoff game.”