NorthPort and Terrafirma are out to leave everything they got on the floor as they battle in a playoff for the eighth and last quarterfinals spot in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Wednesday, May 8.

No less than a dogfight is expected in the sudden death contest at 7:30 p.m. where a chance to get into the playoff picture and challenge the top seed and twice-to-beat San Miguel waiting as reward.

The Batang Pier and the Dyip found themselves in a tug-of-war for the last playoff ticket after finishing with similar 5-6 records and in tie for the eighth to ninth places.

Both teams also somehow had similar routes taken this conference as they both had strong starts to the conference, went on a slight slump midway before taking the important wins towards the end to stay in the playoff picture.

Terrafirma even had the chance to get an outright spot to the quarters if not for a tough 108-100 loss to Magnolia to close out the eliminations. In contrast, NorthPort ended the eliminations on a winning note, squeezing past Blackwater, 115-113.

More than the even records and almost similar experiences, the showdown also promises to be a thrilling one especially that their only encounter in the eliminations went down the wire with Terrafirma coming away with a nail-biting 110-108 win.

Stephen Holt stepped up big in that contest scoring a tough layup in traffic to help the Dyip survive stellar games from Arvin Tolentino, Will Navarro and Cade Flores.

Tolentino exploded for 25 points, Flores had 18 and Navarro with 17 in what could have been a comeback from 12-points down for NorthPort only to be foiled by the trio of Holt, Juami Tiongson and rookie Louie Sangalang.

Holt had a double-double of 22 points, 12 rebounds and five assists while Tiongson and Sangalang finished with 21 and 19 respectively.

These players are expected to take the lead roles to their respective teams anew with other personnel like Isaac Go, Kemark Carino and Javi Gomez De Liano for Terrafirma and Joshua Munzon, Fran Yu and Zav Lucero for NorthPort also expected to provide contributions and could be very well emerge as the X-factors in the crucial contest.