TERRAFIRMA is currently sitting pretty in fifth place with a 3-2 win-loss record.

But Terrafirma coach Johnedel Cardel knows the next six games in the 11-game eliminations will determine the fate of the Dyip whether or not they will make it all the way to the playoffs.

“Dapat maka-tatlong panalo kami sa next six games naminpara makapasok sa playoffs,” said Cardel, who has yet to get past the eliminations since taking over the coaching chores in 2018.

“Kaya lang mabigat. After Meralco on Wednesday, Ginebra naman on Sunday, tapos San Miguel (Beer) next Wednesday,” added the 53-year-old player-turned-coach from Mandaluyong City.

“Pero sabi nga, bilog ang bola, saka sa iginagalaw ng team ngayon kita mo na talagang determinado lahat,” explained Cardel, who hopes to draw the best from ace players Juami Tiongson, Stephen Holt, Javi Gomez de Liano and Isaac Go.

For now, Cardel and his Dyip are focused on getting past the dangerous Bolts in their 4:30 p.m. encounter.

His Meralco counterpart, Luigi Trillo, admits Terrafirma is completely a different team now.

“Sa ngayon you can see that they’re gelling well. They’re playing as a team so not only do they have the pieces, mga solid na tatlo o apat, pero pati ‘yung ibang players nila maganda ngayon inilalaro,” claimed Trillo.

“I think the next few days or couple of weeks are gonna kind of define the teams,” said Trillo, whose Bolts are currently ninth with a 2-3 record.

“Kasi everybody’s looking for placing,” said Trillo. “So some teams at the top can cement themselves in their positions, and some of the lower teams can come back to life.”

Trillo will again lean on ace gunners Allein Maliksi, Chris Newsome and Aaron Black plus their usual solid defensive work.

Rain or Shine and Converge square off in the 7:30 p.m. mainer.

The Elasto Painters (2-4) and the FiberXers (0-5) are mired deep in the standings and need to win now to keep their hopes of advancing to the playoffs alive.