SMART Clark Giga City - In the mad dash to the finish, the leading teams fight for the coveted playoff spots (Top Four) while the chasers rumble for the remaining berths in the post-elims play.
NorthPort, troubled by tough challenges, including a slew of injuries, is out of it all with one win in eight outings.
But the Batang Pier are still very much part of the PBA Philippine Cup bubble play and can be very dangerous in their closing matches where they're waging their last stand to put some semblance of a fight.
Christian Standhardinger and his teammates face the Magnolia Hotshots at 4 p.m. Sunday in their third to the last game in the unique event at the AUF Sports Center powered by Smart 5G in Angeles, Pampanga.
Coach Pido Jarencio said they're definitely not just to go through the motion.
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They're still determined to go out, earn some amount of respect and leave some imprint.
Magnolia coach Chito Victolero said they're bracing for a fight as he himself is wary of the NorthPort team playing without any pressure at all.
The pressure is heavy on the Hotshots' side as they're in a must-win situation.
Already minus Robert Bolick, the Batang Pier have become a more crippled team with the sidelining of Sean Anthony due to a severe sprained ankle.
And with all their troubles, the Batang Pier have scored a lone win at the expense of the Terrafirma Dyip, 107-96.
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Their last three assignments are Magnolia, San Miguel Beer and Meralco. (SB)
