TAKE your pick: NorthPort or Phoenix Super LPG?

The Batang Pier and the Fuel Masters clash in a sudden death encounter to determine the eighth and last quarterfinalist in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Game time is 6:30 p.m. with the winner of the NorthPort-Phoenix knockout match claiming the No. 8 seed and the right to meet top seed Magnolia Pambansang Manok in the quarterfinals starting Wednesday.

Both the Batang Pier and the Fuel Masters had a chance to advance to the eight-team quarterfinals outright, but lost their final-day assignments to Talk N Text and Meralco last Friday.

NorthPort dropped a heartbreaking 101-106 overtime setback to TNT, while Phoenix suffered a 109-90 blowout at the hands of Meralco.

As a result, they have to face off for the eighth and last quarterfinals berth after finishing with identical 5-6 win-loss record.

As the No 8 team, NorthPort or Phoenix will also have to beat Magnolia twice to advance to the best-of-five semifinals.

The two teams acknowledged leaders, Arwind Santos of NorthPort and Matthew Wright of Phoenix vowed to do their best to lead their teams to the next round.

“Move on na kami doon (loss to TNT). Ready na kami for Sunday,” said the 40-year-old veteran, who expressed confidence despite the loss to TNT.

“Yun naman ang goal namin ang makapasok sa quarters,” added Santos.

“I told the team that I need to be better. And I will be better on Sunday,” said Wright, who was held to 13 points on a dismal 5-of-19 shooting from the field in the loss.

“I feel I’ve to take responsibility for the loss.”

NorthPort won over Phoenix, 101-93, in their lone encounter in the eliminations last Feb. 26 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.